Members of the Global Automakers of Canada (GAC) have announced support for the federal government’s plans to introduce a new 5-cycle test methodology to measure the fuel consumption of a vehicle and the resulting EnerGuide labels that appear on motor vehicles, beginning with the 2015 model year.
“We commend the government for moving to this change in test methodology, which simply means that the fuel consumption values shown on the label of 2015 model year vehicles will be a more accurate reflection of the amount of fuel that a vehicle actually consumes,” said David Adams, President of the Global Automakers of Canada.
“This change typically means that 2015 model year vehicles will have labels that show greater fuel consumption than a similar 2014 model year vehicle.”
Adams also said that “employing a test methodology that provides the car buying public with a more accurate picture of the estimated fuel consumption of all vehicles is important in ensuring that customers have all of the relevant information at hand when the time comes to purchase a new vehicle — especially those consumers for whom fuel efficiency is one of the factors influencing the type of vehicle they end up purchasing.”
With some model year 2015 vehicles entering the marketplace beginning this month, industry experts caution that it it is extremely important for consumers to understand the difference between 2014 label values that reflect the old 2-cycle test methodology, and the new 5-cycle testing methodology reflected on the label value of a 2015 model year vehicle.
The GAC said that both the association and its members will continue to work with the federal government towards finalizing new labels that will provide additional helpful information for consumers beginning with 2016 model year vehicles.
