Average Age Of Vehicles On America's Roads Getting Older

DETROIT, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- The average age of cars, pickups and sport utility vehicles still on the road has reached a record 10.8 years, up 0.4 of a year from 2010, a research firm said.

The industry research firm R.L. Polk & Co. said the average age of passenger cars reached 11.1 years, up from 11 years in 2010.The average age of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles rose from 10.1 to 10.4.

There are 240.5 million cars, SUVs and light trucks plying the nation's roads.

While an aging fleet indicates car owners are staying away from auto show rooms longer, automobile sales rose by 10.3 percent to 12.8 million vehicles in 2011 over 2010, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

A longer delay in replacing a car also means more work for repair shops and a larger demand for auto parts.

"Dealer service departments and independent repair facilities, as well as aftermarket parts suppliers, will see increased business opportunity with customers in need of vehicle service," said Mark Seng, Polk's global aftermarket practice leader.