Rural Vehicle Markets and Consumer Affordability

There is a need to better understand rural vehicle consumer choice and transportation affordability to inform efforts to support economic vitality in rural communities. Access to adequate vehicle choices at affordable price points may be limited in rural contexts due to the spatial location of vehicle purchase options. At the same time, access to affordable vehicle options has important implications for transportation affordability, mobility, and economic opportunity in rural areas. Prior research suggests that people living in rural areas are more vehicle dependent, and that vehicle affordability and access is related to mobility and economic opportunity. Recent research indicates that rural vehicle consumers face more limited options and higher prices for a small subset of vehicle options, however, little is known about the implications for consumer choice and vehicle affordability for the overall vehicle market. This project uses detailed vehicle data and vehicle dealership listings in Colorado, Maine, and Vermont to evaluate the relationship between vehicle options, distances people travel to purchase a vehicle, and the price paid for the vehicle in both urban and rural contexts. Findings from this research can inform policies that seek to expand access to affordable transportation options in rural communities.

• Record URL:
  • https://ncst.ucdavis.edu/project/rural-vehicle-markets-and-consumer-affordability

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $199,994.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DOT 69A3552348319

  DOT 69A3552344814

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  University of Vermont

  Transportation Research Center
  Burlington, Vermont  United States  05405
• Managing Organizations:

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  University of California, Davis

  1 Shields Ave
  Davis, California  United States  95616

  University of Vermont

  Transportation Research Center
  Burlington, Vermont  United States  05405
• Project Managers:

  Cliff, Sydney

• Performing Organizations:

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  University of Vermont

  Transportation Research Center
  Burlington, Vermont  United States  05405
• Principal Investigators:

  Rowangould, Dana

• Start Date: 20260401
• Expected Completion Date: 20270331
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile dealers; Automobile ownership; Consumer preferences; Costs; Market assessment; Rural areas; Vehicles
• Geographic Terms: Colorado; Maine; Vermont
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01985476
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Center for Sustainable Transportation
• Contract Numbers: DOT 69A3552348319, DOT 69A3552344814
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Apr 12 2026 11:55PM