Continuously variable transmissions (CVT) offer an infinite number of gear ratios that allow the engine to operate near peak efficiency throughout a wide range of vehicle speeds which improves fuel efficiency. The sales of vehicles with CVTs began slowly and have climbed to 13.8% of car and 5.3% of light truck market share. With CVT making up a relatively small percentage of all transmissions, changes to model offerings with CVTs can have a pronounced effect on the year to year percentages shown in the graphs below.
Market Share of New Cars and Light Trucks with CVT, Model Year 2001-2010
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Supporting Information
| Model Year | Cars | Light Trucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 0.2% | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 0.4% | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 0.9% | 1.3% |
| 2004 | 1.4% | 1.0% |
| 2005 | 2.6% | 2.1% |
| 2006 | 2.4% | 3.4% |
| 2007 | 10.4% | 3.8% |
| 2008 | 11.5% | 4.0% |
| 2009 | 10.3% | 7.4% |
| 2010 | 13.8% | 5.3% |
Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2011 Vehicle Technologies Market Report, Oak Ridge, TN, ORNL-TM-2011/016, February 2012. | ||