General Motors Dominates 1996 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates with Top-Ranked Vehicles

Strategic Insights -

General Motors vehicles excelled in the 1996 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy estimates, claiming the top car and six of the top 10 truck spots. The 1996 Geo Metro Coupe from Chevrolet led the passenger car fuel economy charts with ratings of 44 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 49 mpg highway. This was the seventh time in eight years that a Geo Metro model had captured the passenger car fuel economy title. Additionally, six of the top ten spots on the truck side were claimed by GM, with four sport utility models and two compact pick-up trucks leading the charge.

Key Takeaways:

  • General Motors vehicles took the top car and six of the top 10 truck spots in the 1996 EPA fuel economy estimates.
  • The 1996 Geo Metro Coupe from Chevrolet achieved the highest fuel economy ratings, with 44 mpg city and 49 mpg highway.
  • This was the seventh consecutive year that a Geo Metro model had claimed the passenger car fuel economy title.
  • Six of the top ten truck spots were claimed by General Motors, with four sport utility models and two compact pick-up trucks.
  • The Geo Tracker two-door and four-door sport utility vehicles, as well as the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma pick-up trucks, were among the top-ranked GM vehicles.
  • All four Geo Tracker models cited in the EPA rankings are powered by 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engines with 5-speed manual transmissions.
  • The select Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma pickups feature 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engines with 5-speed manual transmissions.

Statistics:

  • 44 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 49 mpg highway: Fuel economy ratings of the 1996 Geo Metro Coupe.
  • 7 years: Consecutive years a Geo Metro model has captured the passenger car fuel economy title (1990-1996).
  • 6: Number of top 10 truck spots claimed by General Motors.
  • 4: Number of sport utility models among the top-ranked GM vehicles.
  • 2: Number of compact pick-up trucks among the top-ranked GM vehicles.
  • 44 mpg: City fuel economy rating of the Geo Metro Coupe.
  • 49 mpg: Highway fuel economy rating of the Geo Metro Coupe.

Sources:

  • General Motors Corporation (GM)
  • 1996 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy estimates
  • Tom Pyden, General Motors spokesperson (phone: 202-775-5015)
  • J.D. Power Initial Quality Studies