The
median age of passenger cars in the United States has steadily increased while
the age of light trucks – including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) – has decreased,
according to the Automotive Industry Status Report 2000 by the Motor & Equipment
Manufacturers Association (MEMA).

The median age of cars on the road in 1989 was eight years while light trucks
(pickups, vans, and SUVs) averaged 8.2 years, the report said.

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In 1999, the average car was nearly nine years old (8.9 years) but the average
light truck’s age was unchanged from 8.2 years, due to the boom in SUV sales.

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