November 14, 2001 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Value of quality changes for 2002 passenger cars and light trucks

The retail equivalent value of quality changes for 2002 passenger cars was higher than that for light trucks.

[Chart data—TXT]

The retail equivalent value of quality changes for the 2002 model year domestic passenger cars averaged $68.30. This represents 20.2 percent of the average $337.94 over-the-year increase in manufacturer's suggested list prices.

The retail equivalent value of quality changes for the 2002 model year domestic light trucks averaged $17.59, or 7.1 percent of the average $248.20 over-the-year increase in manufacturer's suggested list prices.

The value of changes for passenger cars and light trucks represent changes in levels of standard or optional equipment, federal safety mandates, and non-mandated quality changes.

These data are a product of the BLS Producer Price Index program. Learn more in "Report on Quality Changes for 2002 Model Vehicles," news release USDL 01-405 (PDF 10K). Estimates of the value of quality changes were based on a sample of 18 model-year 2002 domestic passenger cars and 16 light trucks included in the Producer Price Index for October.