Thanks to the popular Toyota Prius, hybrid sales through July are up 49 percent over the same period last year.
A new report by R.L. Polk & Co. shows that registrations for hybrid vehicles are up this year in the US. The midwest had the highest increase of 56.9 percent. Toyota Prius registrations rose 88.3 percent in the midwest, while the Toyota Camry hybrid sales rose 214.9 percent.
Most of the hybrid sales momentum can be attributed to Toyota who currently holds 65 percent of the hybrid market with the Prius holding 50 percent and the Camry with 15.
Registrations are likely to continue to increase with almost every automaker working on new hybrids there will be even more options for new car buyers. The introduction of clean diesels in the coming years may be the only thing that could hurt hybrid sales.
Full Story: eGMCarTech
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Comments (4)
This is good news.
I won't have to worry about a rush on diesel, because everyone is buy these cars instead. Excellent news.
Posted by zippy | September 18, 2007 1:33 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 13:33
I thought, as reported here some time ago, some manufacturers were cancelling their hybrid offerings (eg. Accord hybrid). And that some were adding incentives (Prius and free options for one) as sales slow? Are sales really going up or just for the Prius?
Posted by bob | September 18, 2007 3:12 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 15:12
Honda cancelled the Accord hybrid because it was mated to the six cylinder engine. The mileage was not signifigantly better than a standard four cylinder. The Civic Hybrid sells well. Toyota trumps this market because they marketed the Prius very well. It does not resemble another car from Toyota and therefore it makes a staement for potential owners. The Camry hybrid sells well and it is matches to the 4 cyl. for maximum efficiency. The slowdown of sales came from the lack of government tax breaks ( I believe it has ended or coming close to an end) of these vehicles which could be used to offset the purchase price. Also Toyota had marketed the technology (Altima hybrid,etc) to displace the technology costs.
Posted by longdxcommuter | September 18, 2007 7:07 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 19:07
I still marvel at the number of 'car people' who just don't get it.
They don't understand that there are different types of 'performance' and 'premium' vehicles.
The Prius is a high performance and premium vehicle in its own right. It has superiour environmental performance and efficiency compared to most other cars on the road... and some people are willing to pay extra for that.
How hard is that to understand?
Everyone complains about fuel costs and fantasizes about 'sticking it' to big oil. Well, short of parking your car and riding your bike, getting a Prius is one of the best ways to 'stick it' to big oil and also oil-funded anti-western groups/governments.
Posted by Peter | September 20, 2007 2:40 PM
Posted on September 20, 2007 14:40