Continuously variable transmissions (CVT) offer an infinite number of gear ratios that allow the engine to operate near peak efficiency throughout a wide range of vehicle speeds which improves fuel efficiency. The sales of vehicles with CVTs began slowly and have climbed to 13.8% of car and 5.3% of light truck market share. With CVT making up a relatively small percentage of all transmissions, changes to model offerings with CVTs can have a pronounced effect on the year to year percentages shown in the graphs below.

Market Share of New Cars and Light Trucks with CVT, Model Year 2001-2010
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Supporting Information

Market Share of CVTs, Model Year 2001-2010
Model YearCarsLight Trucks
20010.2%0.0%
20020.4%0.0%
20030.9%1.3%
20041.4%1.0%
20052.6%2.1%
20062.4%3.4%
200710.4%3.8%
200811.5%4.0%
200910.3%7.4%
201013.8%5.3%

Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2011 Vehicle Technologies Market Report, Oak Ridge, TN, ORNL-TM-2011/016, February 2012.

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