Fact #746: September 24, 2012 U.S. Share of World Vehicles Declines

In 1990, the United States accounted for 32.4% of the world's vehicles. The number of vehicles in the world nearly doubled between 1990 and 2010, due to growth of vehicles in other countries, such as China and India. By 2010, the U.S. accounted for only 23.6% of the world's vehicles.

Number of Vehicles in the U.S. and the World, 1990, 2000, and 2010
Image

Note: Vehicles include cars, light trucks, heavy trucks, and buses.

Supporting Information

Number of Vehicles in the U.S. and the World, 1990, 2000, and 2010
(Million Vehicles)
Calendar YearUnited StatesRest of the WorldTotal World Vehicles
1990189394583
2000214523737
20102407751,015
Sources: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 31, Tables 3.2 and 3.3

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