THE GROUP

At Automotive Science Group,
we believe in the power of science.

We believe that the measure of a car’s performance should be based on objective data – data that helps steer you toward a purchase that best meets your needs, while also reflecting the values you live by. Whether it’s a commitment to buy American-made, a prerogative to reduce your environmental footprint, or purely an economic choice, ASG’S dynamic rating platform delivers the science-based information you need to make informed choices. 

ASG’s data-driven rating platform - the Automotive Performance Index - is based on the scientific principles of ecological economics. By removing personal bias from our assessments, we are the only authority that leverages scientific analysis to differentiate true innovations in the hyper-competitive automotive marketplace. 

Automotive Science Group (ASG) is a California-based research group founded in collaboration with Eco-innovations, LLC, an environmental policy consultancy established in 2007. ASG is changing the way we define value in today’s automotive marketplace by providing life-cycle data-driven findings that help consumers make purchasing decisions that are ecologically sustainable, socially equitable and economically viable. 

There is exceptional value in informed consumer demand as a mechanism for change, one that can transform markets and improve environmental and social conditions with a speed unlike any other process.  Eco-innovations facilitates this change with market solutions developed in partnership with Automotive Science Group. 

RELATIVE RATING METHOD

The Automotive Performance Index (API) applies statistical methods to demonstrate each vehicle rating in relative comparison. For example, the vehicle that performs highest in environment performance in a given class obtains a rating score of 100. Each vehicle in its class is then compared relative to the top-performing vehicle with a rating score reflecting the statistical difference in performance outcomes. A score of 91 translates to a 9% environmental performance deficit as compared to the top-performing vehicle.  

Due to the API’s relative vehicle rating method, vehicle class divisions were identified as a critical input - these class divisions are detailed here.

While the Automotive Performance Index is indeed an exhaustive list of vehicles to trim level detail, with each vehicle assessment reporting over 200 unique data outputs (the culmination of thousands of data inputs), ASG has taken additional measures to ease the burden of sorting through all data points and all vehicle assessments. We have developed key performance categories and sorted all vehicles in each class according to Environmental Performance, Social Performance, Economic Performance and All-Around Performance. The vehicle in each class with the best score in each unique category is named the performance award winner (i.e. Best Environmental Performance Award winner). The vehicle in each class that scores highest combined scores in Environmental Performance, Social Performance and Economic Performance is named the ASG Best All-Around Performance Award winner.

One step further, we also name the Best 5 All-Around Performance Award winners in each class to provide consumers with a concise product comparison guide.