Michael Sivak of the University of Michigan Transport Research Institute reports that the rates of vehicles per person, licensed driver, and household in the US reached their maxima prior to the onset of the current economic downturn. He suggests it is likely that this reflects societal changes that influence the need for vehicles, such as increases in telecommuting and in the use of public transportation.
Previous evidence from the US has documented a cessation of growth of car use per capita before the current economic downturn. This new report own vehicle ownership is consistent with the beginning of a significant shift of attitude towards the car.