NEW SEMA RESEARCH: Vehicle Lifecycle Trends

Report highlights factors driving Americans to hold on to their vehicles longer, sheds light on their aftermarket spending

DIAMOND BAR, CA – September 16, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – New research (www.sema.org/research) by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is shedding light on the latest trends and developments in vehicle lifecycle, and providing new insights for those who provide parts for accessorizing and modifying the U.S.’s more than 289 million vehicles.

Findings in the new SEMA Vehicle Lifecycle Report include:

• Vehicles are staying on the road longer, a continuing trend. The average U.S. vehicle age is now at 12.6 years, its highest number in over a decade. Passenger cars are now an average of 14 years old (up from 13.6), while light trucks rose slightly to 11.9, from 11.8.

• Used-car market ticks downward but remains historically high. The average listing price of a used vehicle in the U.S. is $25,251, as of July 2024. Car values have fallen faster than that of light trucks, with the sharpest decrease in overall vehicle value found in EVs (-11%).

• Stabilization of new vehicle prices offset by continued climb of interest rates.The average new vehicle price sits at $48,644, down slightly from the year prior, and halting a dramatic climb that began in the beginning of 2021. However, interest rates for new and used vehicles continue to hound buyers, remaining significantly higher than those offered in 2021-2022, regardless of loan-term length.

• Automakers are producing fewer entry-level vehicles. While new vehicle inventory in 2024 has reached a three-and-a-half-year high, small cars and other entry-level vehicles (those priced below $20,000) make up just 0.7% of the market, compared with 7% five years ago. This lack of affordability has a profound impact on younger people, who are historically more price-sensitive than older drivers.

• Two decades of increasingly dependable vehicles. Since 2003, vehicles have exhibited fewer problems, highlighting a growing reliability that is a boon to consumers. However, recent years have yielded an increase in vehicle issues tied to new technology-based automotive features, including driving assistance and infotainment systems; this trend could impact future dependability.

• The nation’s fleet of vehicles is growing. The past year saw the net addition of 3 million more vehicles to the roads, with crossovers (72.7 million) closing the gap with passenger cars (89.2 million)…