Source: adapted from R. Carruthers (2003) The Impacts of Motorization and What Can Be Done to Mitigate Them, The World Bank.

Relationship between GDP and Motorization, Selected Asian Countries, 1960-1990

This sample concerns major Asian economies, including Japan, China, South Korea and Singapore taken at different points in time in from 1960 to 1990, when most were experiencing a strong period of economic growth. Based on this sample, there is a clear exponential relationship between GDP per capita and motorization. After the $2,000 per capita threshold is crossed, the level of motor vehicle ownership, and the expected mobility, increases significantly.