Ward’s Auto has reported that the domestic installation rate for V-6 and V-8 engines fell to 57.1 percent of the U.S. auto market in 2009, declining for the fifth-straight year from a peak of 76.2 percent in 2004. In 2008, vee-oriented six- and eight-cylinder engines accounted for 63.9 percent of the industry.

Unsurprisingly, V-6 and V-8 engines continued to hold ground in the light-truck segment, which collectively includes pickups, SUVs, crossovers, and minivans. The engines were installed in 84 percent of these vehicles (44 percent V-6, 40 percent V-8), down from 88.2 percent in 2008. In terms of volume, however, light-truck production plunged 42.2 percent, hampered by the inherently fuel-thirsty offerings and high-volume full-size pickups.

Filling the void are the four-cylinders, which improved its share to 61.9 and 14.8 percent of the car and light-truck markets, respectively. While small in comparison to passenger cars, the growing crossover segment is putting its weight in the four-cylinder numbers. In 2008, four-bangers were installed in 51.7 percent of all domestic-built cars.

Diesel fans will appreciate the improved market share and volume in 2009 and can thank the Mexico-produced Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Diesel-powered vehicles claimed a 3.7-percent market share in 2009, up from 2.1 percent in 2008. Flex-fuel, or ethanol-capable, engines were featured in 7.9 percent of all vehicles (up from 7.4 percent in 2008) but volume declined 33.6 percent.

Other specialty engines including turbocharged, supercharged, and hybrid powertrains experienced varied results. Turbocharged engines improved its 2009 share to 2.9 percent despite no change in volume, while supercharged whiners staked a miniscule 0.1 percent with a volume drop of 27.6 percent. Hybrids increased to 2.4 percent of domestic/import volume but volume declined 34.9 percent.

The aforementioned data is purely for domestic-produced light-vehicles*, which include those built in fellow NAFTA countries Canada and Mexico. In 2009, 7,943,327 cars and light trucks of all makes and models were built domestically, the lowest level in more than 20 years and down a startling 39.4 percent compared to the 13,117,992 manufactured in 2008. To get a better grasp of the conditions, domestic-built vehicles of all brands represent 74 percent of the year’s sales (7,715,268 of 10,431,509 combined units).

During the most dismal economic year in decades, U.S. vehicle sales tallied just 10,431,509 units, down from 13,245,718 vehicles sold in 2008 (-21.2 percent).

Engine displacement statistics for 2009:

• Under 2.0-liters -- 7.1 percent of all vehicles (8.2 percent in 2008)
• 2.0- to 2.9-liters -- 36 percent of all vehicles (28.3 percent in 2008)
• Under 3.0-liters -- 43.1 percent of all vehicles (36.5 percent in 2008, 32.6 percent in 2007, 10-year average of 29.6 percent
• 3.0- to 3.9-liters -- 29 percent of all vehicles (33 percent in 2008)
• 4.0- to 4.9-liters -- 11.3 percent of all vehicles (11.7 percent in 2008)
• Over 5.0-liters -- 16.6 percent of all vehicles (18.8 percent in 2008)

*Production and sales numbers are not interchangeable. “Domestic” means produced domestically and is not limited to Chrysler, Ford, and GM.

Sources: Ward’s Auto, Automotive News data (Subscription required)