pril 23, 2001
Runzheimer Canada Analyzes 2001 Annual Driving Costs
Nationwide:
MONTREAL, TORONTO, ST. JOHN’S THREE MOST COSTLY METRO AREAS TO
DRIVE
Montreal is the most expensive metropolitan area in the nation to
drive a car with Toronto and St. John’s ranked two and three,
according to the latest analysis by Runzheimer Canada, the
Toronto-based management consulting firm.
The cost to drive a 2001 midsize car in the
greater Montreal area is more than C$11,000 per year. Based on
driving 24,000 kilometres per year, this translates into a per
kilometre cost of more than 45 cents in Montreal, Toronto, and St.
John’s, Newfoundland (see Table).
Other metro areas where annual vehicle costs exceed C$10,000
annually include Halifax, Moncton, Vancouver, and Ottawa.
Lower cost metro areas where annual vehicle expenditures fall
below C$10,000 include Charlottetown, Regina, Edmonton, and
Winnipeg.
"Insurance plays a major role in cost differences," according to
Cameron Davidson, Runzheimer Canada consultant and vehicle cost
expert. "For example, annual auto insurance rates in Montreal are
C$1,763, on average, for a midsize vehicle, compared to only C$884
in Winnipeg. Licence and registration fees play a role. Montreal
imposes a C$255 levy while Calgary and Edmonton charge only C$53.
And, of course fuel and oil prices varies by region," the vehicle
cost expert notes. Montreal, Halifax, Moncton, and St. John’s each
cost over 10 cents per kilometre for fuel and oil, while Calgary and
Edmonton are both under 9 cents.
The analysis of annual costs takes into account both fixed and
operating costs, and assumes the vehicle is driven within an
80-kilometre radius of the city.
"Using a broad national average to reimburse employees driving on
business is probably a mistake," comments Davidson. "Our analysis
clearly shows that such factors as insurance, maintenance, fuel, and
other items vary significantly in cost according to where you
drive."
For further information on vehicle costs and business driving
programs contact Runzheimer Canada, 2300 Yonge St., Suite 800,
Toronto, Ontario M4P 1E4. Telephone: 416-730-9200. Fax:
416-730-9283.
2001 RANKING OF ANNUAL CANADIAN VEHICLE
COSTS IN SELECTED LOCATIONS
1. Montreal, PQ |
2. Toronto, ON |
3. St. John’s, NF |
4. Halifax, NS |
5. Moncton, NB |
6. Vancouver, BC |
7. Ottawa, ON |
8. Charlottetown, PE |
9. Regina, SK |
10.Edmonton, AB |
11.Winnipeg, MB |
The rankings are based on a 2001 Ford Taurus SE 3.0 litre,
6-cylinder, 4-door sedan equipped with automatic transmission with
overdrive, power steering, power disc brakes, tinted glass, AM-FM
stereo, speed control, air conditioning, engine block heater,
heavy-duty battery, driver’s air bag, and anti-lock brakes. Costs
include operating costs: fuel, oil, tires, and maintenance; and
fixed costs: insurance, depreciation, taxes, and licence fees.
Factors are based on 4-year/96,000 kilometre retention cycle.
Vehicles are driven within an 80-kilometre radius of the city.
Runzheimer Canada is the Toronto-based management consulting firm
specializing in travel and living costs.
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