U.S. hybrid registrations rose 38% to top 350,000 in 2007
Sales of hybrid vehicles continued to buck the overall trend of sinking car and truck sales in 2007, according to the latest data from research firm R.L. Polk. Polk does an annual survey of new vehicle registrations and their 2008 numbers look very good for Toyota. While overall sales dropped three percent from 2006 to 2007, registrations of new hybrids jumped 38 percent. For the year, hybrid vehicles comprised 2.2 percent of the total market with 350,289 units registered. Even with several new hybrid models now on the market, the Toyota Prius remains the dominant single model with 51 percent of the segment compared to 43 percent in 2006. If GM can manage to light a fire under sales of their hybrid models this year, the segment could grow significantly again this year as gas prices approach and top $4 a gallon in the U.S.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dad 6:06PM (4/21/2008)
Wow, 300 million cars and now we have 350K hybrids in 2007.
The solution to pollution is to car pool and ride share.
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Stins 1:36PM (4/21/2008)
Despite being the "ugly duckling" of cars, the Prius has clearly done incredibly well. Clearly, "Prius" isn't quite synonymous with "hybrid" in the same way that Kleenex is with tissues. But it by far has the most name recognition, and I think some of that has to do with its distinct look. On our green product review site, the 2007 model is by far the most reviewed: http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/toyota-2007-prius-base-hybrid
People definitely seem to like, not only the fuel savings, but the statement they make rolling up in a hybrid.
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Whopper 2:47PM (4/21/2008)
38% increase of next to nothing is still next to nothing. Annual sales runs 15M to 16M automobiles which makes 350K registered vehicles a drop in the ocean.
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Hmmm 9:09PM (4/21/2008)
Ummmmm, comment 2, you realize hybrids had to start at some low number right? Zero in fact. You do realize that more and more every year will eventually result in a significant number? Look at all of the new hybrids being planned over the next few years. It started at zero. It's not next to nothing; Prius is breaking into the top 10 cars sold in the US. You see them everywhere. It is getting cheaper and better performing in the next version.
Comment 3, you do realize that carpooling with a hybrid is better than carpooling in an SUV, eh? You do realize that multiple solutions can come together to have big effects and that any one is not enough by itself.
What a stupid thing to be negative about.
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Jon 2:21PM (4/22/2008)
I think some people invested so heavily over the years in criticizing Prius and hybrid technology that they just can't easily stop. There's too much built-up cognitive dissonance they still need to work through.
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