2007 hybrid sales up almost 50%
Hybrid car sales are on a roll! This is especially newsworthy considering just about every other market segment is on a downward spiral. The Midwestern states are driving the hybrid demand, with Oklahoma coming in at a staggering 143 percent increase for the first seven months of '07 as compared to '06. Hawaii is the only state which reported a drop in hybrid sales. Maybe because there aren't any hybrid convertibles? As expected, the Prius is the hybrid sales leader while Toyota's other hybrid sedan, the Camry, is scoring well also.
Last year, 254,545 hybrids were sold, and this year, the total is expected to crest 300,000 sales. More good news is that the market is expected to continue climbing. With this data, it's not surprising that other automakers are intent on introducing hybrid models of their own!
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TIMMAH! 12:11PM (9/18/2007)
Yeah this is just a fad. GM said there was no demand for hybrid cars.
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Hamster 12:35PM (9/18/2007)
Are Priuses on a 4 week backorder or is my local dealer pulling my leg.
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Tim 12:51PM (9/18/2007)
This happened while oil prices were "relaxing" this spring and summer. Oil just hit another all-time high and is expected to exceed $100/barrel this winter!
Dealers will not be able to keep the hybrids in stock this winter. Unfortunately, the old gas guzzling trade-ins will most likely be sold to poor people because they can't qualify for the new car financing. Of course, they can’t afford the high price of gas either. The "working poor" are in a pickle.
Thank goodness we have such great mass transit without all that urban sprawl in the USA… NOT!
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Dave R 5:27PM (9/18/2007)
Hamster: Are Priuses on a 4 week backorder or is my local dealer pulling my leg.
I'm picking up a 2008 Prius this evening. The dealer had half a dozen at the lot on Saturday, but not the color we wanted so we had to wait a couple days for them to locate one. Probably helps that we are in Southern California.
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Gravity 10:29AM (10/29/2007)
Im seeing conflicting stories on Hybrid sales everywhere. Most say things are picking up on an annual basis. What I dont understand is inventory...try and find a slection of Hybrid Escapes of Mariners in New England. The Tribute is ONLY for sale in CA. Does anyone know why this is happening? Is it a production issue or lack of interest in the market?
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