SCHAUHBURG, Ill. — Experian Automotive today released the latest quarterly analysis of its AutoCount Vehicles in Operation data. The second quarter data showed that Ford and Chevrolet brands have the greatest number of vehicles out of warranty,* with Ford at nearly 38 million vehicles out of warranty and Chevrolet with approximately 34 million vehicles out of warranty. This is an increase of 540,000 Ford vehicles and 960,000 Chevrolet vehicles out of warranty when compared with the same period last year, according to Experian Automotive. ( *Out-of-warranty vehicle estimations are calculated based on model year.)

Results from the analysis also showed that Toyota, which has been steadily gaining ground in market share in vehicles in operation reports, came in third with approximately 19.5 million vehicles out of warranty, which is up 780,000 from last year. Dodge-branded vehicles are fourth, with 14.9 million vehicles, followed by Honda, with 13.7 million vehicles. Overall, approximately 85.6 percent of vehicles on the road are out of warranty, which consists of a growth of nearly 5.5 million vehicles from the same period last year.

“These numbers can help the aftermarket better understand where the greatest opportunities are currently occurring when it comes to repairs and maintenance by vehicle make,” said Marty Miller, senior product marketing manager for Experian Automotive’s AutoCount Vehicles in Operation. “It’s important to note that even vehicles covered by warranty still need aftermarket service, like oil changes, wiper blades, filters and brakes that are not covered by warranty, so you can’t ignore those vehicles.”

Another finding from the latest vehicles in operation data reveals that the “Detroit 3” automakers (GM, Ford and Chrysler) continue to lose market share when it comes to the number of vehicles on the road. According to Experian’s data, GM still reigns as the volume leader in the United States, with 28.9 percent of all vehicles on the road. However, this number is 0.6 percent down from the same time last year (29.5 percent), or a total of 1.5 million fewer vehicles on the road today than last year.

While GM, Ford and Chrysler encompass 62.1 percent of all vehicles today, this number is down from 64 percent from the same time last year, or a total loss of 3.3 million vehicles. The automakers with the biggest gains were Toyota (11.2 percent to 11.6 percent), Honda (7.7 percent to 7.9 percent), Nissan (5 percent to 5.2 percent), Hyundai (2.5 percent to 2.8 percent) and VW (1.8 percent to 1.9 percent).

“This clearly demonstrates that aftermarket companies need to be able to supply the parts and have the capability to perform service for Japanese-, German- and Korean-brand vehicles,” Miller said. “Parts manufacturers and retailers that focus solely on U.S.-brand vehicles are missing out on a growing and lucrative opportunity.”

Other key findings in Experian’s just-released AutoCount Vehicles in Operation analysis for the second quarter of 2010 reveal:

• The number of vehicles in the “aftermarket sweet spot” has increased. This segment comprises vehicles five to 10 years old (the age in which they have the most parts replaced or serviced) and currently stands at just under 90 million vehicles, which is up more than 400,000 vehicles from this time last year. Approximately 81 percent of the U.S. vehicles in operation exists within the first 15 model years, which is down from 82.4 percent over the same period last year.

• The average age and median age of vehicles continue to increase. The average age (10.3 years) increased 3 percent from the second quarter of 2009, while the median age (9.8 years) increased 4.3 percent.

• Scrappage rates of light trucks is up, which further demonstrates how Americans are moving to smaller vehicles. The scrappage rate of vehicles increased from last quarter (Q1) and compared with the same period last year (Q2 2009) for light trucks but remained steady for passenger cars over both periods. The annual scrappage rate is 5.2 percent for cars, 4.2 percent for light trucks and 4.7 percent overall.

The vehicles in operation data also reveals regional differences in those who are driving full-size pickups. Full-size pickup trucks are popular in the Plains states, with one in every three drivers in Wyoming driving one (33.1 percent), followed by Montana (28.1 percent) and North Dakota (27.3 percent). Conversely, full-size pickups are not popular in the Northeast: Washington, D.C. (2.3 percent), New Jersey (6.8 percent) and New York (7.7 percent). When it comes to volume, Texas leads the way with 22 percent of its drivers owning a full-size pickup — twice as high as California (11 percent).

Experian Automotive’s AutoCount Vehicles in Operation data is updated within six weeks of the end of each quarter, to offer aftermarket organizations the most timely and comprehensive information available to help better manage inventory levels, efficiently plan for new vehicle introductions, adjust for technology changes, and better assess locations for retail stores and service bays.

For more information on Experian’s AutoCount Vehicles in Operation and other products and services, visit http://www.experianautomotive.com.