November 14, 2000 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Value of quality changes in 2001 model-year cars

Quality changes in 2001 model-year cars had a value of $212.67 on average, representing 50.3 percent of the average $422.51 yearly increase in manufacturers' suggested list prices.

[Chart data—TXT]

Of the $212.67 estimated retail level of quality change in domestic passenger cars, over half was due to non-mandated quality changes such as powertrain improvements, theft protection, safety improvements, and changes in levels of standard or optional equipment. Non-mandated quality changes were valued at $119.86.

Changes to comply with 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments accounted for $67.65 of the value of quality change. Safety changes for internal trunk releases in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 401 accounted for $1.92, while other federally mandated safety improvements accounted for $23.24.

These data are a product of the BLS Producer Price Index program. Learn more in "Report on Quality Changes for 2001 Model Vehicles," news release USDL 00-331 (PDF 11K). The estimates on the value of quality changes were based on a sample of 18 model-year 2001 domestic passenger cars included in the Producer Price Index for October.