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"Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations CYTD February 2008.

and "Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations CYTD February 2008.

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The overall vehicle market went from bad to worse in April. It marked the worst April for car sales since 1995. Yet, brisk hybrid sales showed once again that fuel-efficient gas-electric vehicles are recession-proof. Hybrid sales climbed above 3 percent of the total market for second time ever—the last time was May 2007, also a month when gas prices spiked.

When you connect the dots between the recession, the weak dollar, rising oil prices, and pain at the pumps, it adds up to an ever-increasing market share for hybrids. So far this year, hybrid sales have grown by 15 percent, while the overall market has declined by 8 percent.

Toyota continues to dominate the hybrid market. The Prius was the 11th bestselling vehicle in America—ranking in the number eight slot among passenger cars. The Prius and the Toyota Camry Hybrid are the only hybrids showing strong year-over-year growth. In April, the other hybrid producers were caught flat-footed again—with insufficient hybrid inventory and/or marketing. Despite having four hybrid models on the market, retail sales of General Motors hybrids tallied below 200 units.

The post April 2008 Dashboard: Hybrids Sales Defy Recession appeared first on HybridCars.com.

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"Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January 2008.

and "Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January 2008.

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Hybrid sales in March 2008 continued to defy gravity. In an overall vehicle market that shrunk by more than 12 percent compared to a year ago, sales of hybrids grew by more than 10 percent. The gains were not evenly spread. Ford and General Motors, as domestic automakers, are apparently suffering from not having enough hybrids to meet demand.

Sales of the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid were down 18 percent and 34 percent respectively compared to last year. Media reports, and visitors posting to HybridCars.com, indicated that many buyers were turned away due to lack of inventory or high dealer premiums.

In 2006, Ford Motor Company abandoned Bill Ford’s goal of selling 250,000 hybrids per year by 2010. The company dropped that goal after a few months of lackluster sales in 2006. But if the company had exhibited greater resolve, a willingness to lose money with each sale until economies of scale could be reached, and a plan to develop a domestic supply for hybrid batteries, then the Escape Hybrid might have become the Prius of SUVs.

Ford currently sources batteries from Sanyo in Japan. As a result, batteries—the most expensive component in a hybrid system—are coming at an increasing cost to Ford due to a weak dollar. GM also has battery woes. Cobasys, which supplies battery packs for Saturn hybrids and the Malibu Hybrid, was put on GM’s distressed supplier list after the company was left with no operating budget for this fiscal year.

Meanwhile, hybrid versions of mainstream models, like the Civic, Camry, and Altima, did well in March. More details about this and sales numbers in our “Looking Forward” section below.

The post March Market Dashboard: Bill Ford Was Right appeared first on HybridCars.com.

"Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – December 2007.

and "Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – December 2007.

Now that Eliot Spitzer is back on the job market, he might consider a new stint as hybrid promotion spokesman. The story of Spitzer cleaning up corruption on Wall Street only to fall prey to his own character weaknesses resembles developments in the hybrid market, which remains flat based on the auto industry’s failure to deliver more hybrids just when car buyers are most ready to go green. Sales of hybrids in February 2008 showed no growth compared to January 2008, and declined by more than five percent compared to one year ago.

More importantly, the hybrid market continues to be composed of the vehicles introduced in the earliest period of hybrid growth: Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and Lexus RX 400h. Toyota has not yet redesigned the Prius, more than five years after the introduction of the second generation model. Toyota recently reiterated its commitment to offer hybrid offerings of all its models, but the timing for the company’s next hybrid introduction is still unknown. In the past year, Honda has reduced its number of hybrid offerings from three to one. Ford has long ago backed away from its hybrid pledges. And GM has rolled out impressive marketing campaigns for hybrids and other “gas-friendly” models, but February sales of the Saturn Vue Green Line and Saturn Aura Green Line were 30 units. (That’s no typo: three-oh units.)

Sales of luxury hybrid sedans from Lexus were negligible, and General Motors is not reporting sales for the Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon Hybrids or the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.

Nissan increased sales of the Altima Hybrid by nearly 12 percent compared to January and more than doubled sales compared to one year ago. Those sales amounted to only 529 units, because the Altima Hybrid is only available in eight states. With that growth, and sales of the Camry Hybrid on a solid ground, the availability of a high-mpg popular family sedan seems like a safe play.

The scandal—considering how eager automakers are to lift sales in a declining market—is the lack of new hybrids on the market. That left the market essentially flat in February and may represent a huge missed opportunity for March, considering that oil prices have climbed well past $100 per barrel and $4 gas is right around the corner. Eliot Spitzer is back on the job market. Carmakers looking for a spokesman to promote hybrids couldn’t find somebody with skills and qualifications better suited to that task.

The post February Market Dashboard: Spitzer As Hybrid Promoter appeared first on HybridCars.com.

"Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – November 2007.

and "Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – November 2007.

January is usually not a big month for car sales. This year, the New Year doldrums hit hybrids as well as the larger car market. Sales of all vehicles—hybrids included—were down by approximately 25 percent compared to December. But if we compare this month to January of last year, a familiar trend emerges: hybrid sales grew by 25 percent while the overall market declined slightly.

Hybrid sales this January might have been higher if gas prices had continued to rise, as they did in much of 2007. In the past, car shoppers have exhibited a knee-jerk response to high gas prices by rushing to hybrid dealerships. But gas prices fell by roughly 10 cents a gallon. In addition, gloomy news about the economy may have kept consumers from shopping much at all.

Exactly where the economy is headed, and the impact the general economic climate has on hybrid shoppers, remains to be seen. So far, year-over-year sales performance hints that some hybrid models may be recession-proof. The Toyota Prius, for example, grew 37 percent compared with last January—not bad for a four-year-old model that is nearing its next redesign. Other well-established and generally fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles—Camry, Highlander, and Escape—also seem less affected by recessionary pressures. But less fuel efficient models, such as those from Lexus, took a beating this month, indicating that hybrid and luxury are not a winning combination particularly in a lagging economy.

The post January Market Dashboard: Are Hybrids Recession-Proof? appeared first on HybridCars.com.

"Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – October 2007.

and "Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – October 2007.

The final 2007 hybrid sales numbers have been tallied, and the headline news is the 100,000-unit increase in gas-electric cars purchased in the Unites States. In a year when total light-duty vehicle sales declined by 2.5 percent, hybrid sales grew by 38 percent to 350,000 units compared with 250,00 in 2006.

The story beyond the headline is that 97 percent of the increase came from two vehicles and one carmaker. The Toyota Prius increased sales year-over-year by 74,250 units, while the Toyota Camry added more than 23,000 units. All other hybrids remained almost completely flat or slightly declined. So while automakers like General Motors talked a lot about hybrids in 2007, only Toyota put large volumes of hybrid vehicles on US roads, and only Toyota saw substantial sales growth for its hybrid models.

The other story for the year is the impressive "take rate" of hybrid versions of some cars that offer both gasoline and gas-electric variants—and the failure of others. Nearly one in five Highlanders leaving showroom floors were hybrids. Approximately one in eight Camrys were hybrids; and ratios for Escapes and Civics were approximately 1:9 and 1:10 respectively.

Despite all the hand-wringing about the importance of cars like the Prius that are offered only as hybrids, carmakers can successfully introduce hybrid options in conventional vehicles and slowly increase sales of those hybrid versions.

The key is finding the right hybridization formula—whether or not a hybrid-specific nameplate is involved. Which vehicle gets the hybrid option? What kind of hybrid system, mild or full? Which gas engine is mated to a hybrid drivetrain? What are the overall benefits of the hybrid version?

Toyota succeeded by offering the hybrid option on the four-cylinder Camry—and the Civic Hybrid, also a four-banger, sold relatively well. But full-hybrid systems added to more expensive Lexus luxury sports sedans did poorly, and the Saturn BAS mild hybrid combination barely made a blip. Saturn may have more luck in late 2008 when it introduces the full two-mode hybrid version of the Saturn Vue, which provides a more a significant boost in fuel economy compared with the conventional Vue. The fact that Lexus is having modest success with the hybrid version of the RX400h SUV, despite only a small improvement in mpg, proves that concocting the right hybrid formula is more art than science.

US Sales

Our information is based on hybrid sales as reported by the manufacturers. For each model, this month’s sales are shown compared to sales in the previous month and at the same time last year. We also examine hybrid market share by model and manufacturer. The historical sales graph for top-selling hybrid models shows final 2007 volumes.

Hybrids sold in the U.S. (December 2007): 30,925

Regional Data

Looking Ahead

There are three major trends to consider for “alternative autos” in 2008. The first is gas prices. In 2007, interest and sales of hybrids rose and fell in rough correlation with gas prices. May brought the biggest jump at the pumps, and hybrid sales bounced right along. High gas prices, combined with energetic hybrid marketing efforts from Toyota, produced a whopping 47,096 sales for May. That pattern of high gas prices and high hybrid sales repeated itself, albeit more modestly, in November. We are starting out 2008 with record-high oil prices. Could hybrid waiting lines return if gas makes its way to $4 per gallon?

The next factor is General Motors. GM’s plans to introduce a new hybrid every quarter are underway. GM finally has hybrid vehicles to offer, and in a range of sizes from medium to extra large. Will GM provide more sales and marketing support for their available hybrids, or will they focus marketing dollars and television commercials on the Chevy Volt, which is still at least three years away? If the company pushes the available hybrids, then those marketing dollars should be focused on California, the West Coast, and major metropolitan areas, where hybrids still represent the lion’s share of sales.

And the final trend is diesel. A handful of “clean diesel” vehicles from Mercedes, Jeep and Volkswagen will pass stringent California emissions standards so they can be sold in all 50 states. It will be up these companies to convince fuel- and eco-conscious buyers that diesels offer the best combination of performance, efficiency, and overall value. This effort will undoubtedly begin sometime in 2008, but it remains to be seen how aggressive these campaigns will be, and how quickly other automakers, most notably Honda with its Accord Diesel, will join the fray.

Clean diesel probably won’t displace hybrids as the leading green car option. However, the new diesel offerings will provide another solution for consumers seeking high-mpg vehicles. The coexistence of hybrids and diesels in the 2008 marketplace may also teach consumers about another trend: in the future, gains in fuel efficiency will not come from a single technology, but rather from a variety of propulsion systems, each with its own particular advantages.

The post December 2007 Dashboard appeared first on HybridCars.com.

"Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – September 2007.

and "Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – September 2007.

Hybrid sales in November repeated the common theme for 2007: The hybrid market is growing while the overall vehicle market remains stagnant. Comparing November of this year to the same time in 2006, the hybrid market expanded by 80 percent, while the overall car market receded by 2 percent. Total monthly hybrid sales for November defied the usual fall slump, coming in at 33,313 or 2.8 percent of the market.

The jump in hybrid sales was spurred by unseasonably higher gas prices. The average national gas price was up nearly 25 cents per gallon from the beginning of November to the month’s end. With these higher gas prices, and incentives offered by Toyota in certain regions, sales of the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Camry Hybrid returned to summer levels. The Prius and Camry—leaders of the hybrid pack—reported unit sales of 16,737 and 5,118 respectively.

Some journalists and market analysts had looked at low sales numbers posted for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid in October, and misread that all hybrid SUVs had taken a nosedive—rather than attributing the dip to the 2008 Highlander model year transition that reduced available inventory. With the new Highlander in production and shipping to dealers, the Highlander Hybrid has regained its position as the most popular hybrid SUV—with 2,577 units sold in November.

As we approach the end of the year, it looks as if hybrid sales should hit 350,000 units this year, nearly a 100,000-unit increase from 2006.

US Sales

Our information is based on hybrid sales as reported by the manufacturers. For each model, this month’s sales are shown compared to sales in the previous month and at the same time last year. We also examine hybrid market share by model and manufacturer. The historical sales graph for top-selling hybrid models shows estimated 2007 volumes based on sales-to-date.

Hybrids sold in the U.S. (November 2007): 33,315

Regional Data

Looking Ahead

With little sign of a new hybrid that will significantly alter the market in the next year, the recent hybrid buzz is all about plug-in hybrids. Despite the fact that so-called clean diesels will soon begin shipping, and reporting actual sales, the desire for that next big breakthrough has put plug-in hybrids in the headlines. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also dominate the program of industry conferences like the recent EVS23 international electric vehicle symposium in Anaheim, California.

It’s anybody’s guess as to when a major carmaker might offer up a plug-in hybrid at local neighborhood dealership. For all appearances, General Motors is moving full speed ahead on its Chevy Volt, which was targeted for production of tens of thousands of units by 2010 or 2011. GM has a lot of work ahead of them to bring the Volt to market, so this date may gradually migrate into the future.

The Ford Motor Company presented an Escape plug-in hybrid SUV to the utility company, Southern California Edison, at EVS23. The delivery was the first of 20 such vehicles that mark a partnership between the two companies to “advance the commercialization of PHEVs.” Ford’s Sue Cischke, senior vice president, sustainability, environment and safety engineering, said “Cost, durability and reliability issues all need to be addressed before these vehicles can make a significant impact on the global issues of climate change and energy security.”

Plug-in hybrid demonstration projects from Ford and others, and GM’s promotion of the Volt, have put pressure on Toyota to talk more about its own plans to produce a plug-in version of the Toyota Prius. The next generation Prius, planned for release early in 2009, almost certainly will not offer plug-in capability, but the company allowed journalists at EVS23 to test drive a plug-in prototype equipped with extra nickel-metal hydride batteries granting 7-mile all-electric range.

Plug-in hybrids may eventually produce revolutionary changes to the automotive market—but not in this decade. For those concerned with short-term numbers, the growth of the U.S. hybrid market from approximately 350,000 in 2007 to a half-million or more in the next few years will be evolutionary—and built on hybrids sans plug like full-size SUV hybrids from Detroit, the 2009 Toyota Prius and Honda’s new dedicated global hybrid also expected in 2009.

The post November 2007 Dashboard appeared first on HybridCars.com.

"Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – July 2007.

and "Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – August 2007.

Hybrid sales in October were up 30 percent compared to last year at this time—once again showing that hybrids can defy the economics of an overall vehicle market that has remained basically flat. Prius sales continue to carry most of the weight. While not as strong as earlier in the year, the number of Priuses added to American roads increased by 50 percent compared to last October.

Sales of the Escape Hybrid and Camry Hybrid also remain strong, posting 25 percent and 35 percent year-over-year increases respectively. The only notable disappointment is the Highlander Hybrid which sold fewer than 600 units. This can be excused considering that the Highlander is in the middle of a model transition.

Gas prices began their current climb in October, which may have had some effect. The prices at the pump have continued to rise in early November. If the price of a barrel of oil break the $100 mark, the real and psychological impact on car buyers could have an even greater impact on hybrid sales from now until the end of the year.

There’s little evidence that the loss of tax credits on Toyota hybrids, which have been dwindling since a year ago, had any effect on October numbers. The new EPA fuel economy numbers issued for 2008 model vehicles, while lower than the previous numbers, leave Toyota and Honda hybrids at the top of the pack. Apparently, the mpg advantage—which can reap benefits as soon as the car leaves the dealership—resonate more to consumers than tax credits that have to wait until next year’s tax season.

US Sales

Our information is based on hybrid sales as reported by the manufacturers. For each model, this month’s sales are shown compared to sales in the previous month and at the same time last year. We also examine hybrid market share by model and manufacturer. The historical sales graph for top-selling hybrid models shows estimated 2007 volumes based on sales-to-date.

Hybrids sold in the U.S. (October 2007): 24,498

Regional Data

Looking Ahead

The tidal wave of green car marketing continues unabated, leaving today’s car shoppers with a sense that breakthrough technologies—such as plug-in hybrids or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles—are right around the corner. Meanwhile, new hybrid releases fail to deliver revolution or evolution.

The 2008 Highlander Hybrid is bigger and heavier than the previous model—and no more fuel efficient or speedy. The just-released Chevy Malibu Hybrid carries a $1,800 premium over the conventional model, but provides a negligible gain in fuel efficiency of two mpg in the city and highway. And the next hybrid release, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, is the very definition of cognitive dissonance.

Announcements about new dedicated hybrid models, electric drives and biofuel power make a promise that apparently will not be honored for at least two or three years. Press releases about these exciting new hybrid and diesel models, mostly coming out of the major auto shows, almost invariably forecast production beginning at "the end of the decade."

In the meantime, gas-electric vehicles actually arriving to dealership showrooms follow hybrid economics, circa 2003—namely, "hybrids don’t pay for themselves and don’t make sense." It doesn’t help that prestigious news organizations, like the Wall Street Journal, perpetuate the bean-counters approach to hybrids. The Oct. 29, 2007 WSJ story, "The Economics of Hybrids," computes a breakeven period for the Toyota Prius at nearly 18 years. Some journalists still don’t understand that hybrids are about much more than just dollars and cents.

Until new hybrid offerings which capture the zeitgeist—worry about the environment and energy security, combined with the society’s love of high-tech gadgets—the one or two most popular and fuel efficient hybrids will slowly and steadily push the hybrid market ahead. More dramatic increases in hybrid sales numbers are unlikely until "the end of the decade."

The post October 2007 Dashboard appeared first on HybridCars.com.

"Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – July 2007.

"Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – July 2007.

September was another lackluster month for auto sales, and hybrids were no exception. The Prius and Camry, the two highest-volume hybrids, posted sales growth relative to last year, but virtually every other hybrid model showed sales declines. The Highlander Hybrid experienced the most extreme drop (92%) as Toyota shipped the few remaining 2007 models in preparation for next month’s changeover to the updated 2008 version. Yet even with stalled Highlander Hybrid sales, Toyota vehicles still accounted for 80% of the hybrid market. September also was the final month for new Toyota hybrid buyers to receive tax credits, but the last-chance tax incentive seemed to provide little (if any) assistance in moving Toyota and Lexus hybrids out of showrooms.

September marked the second consecutive month that U.S. hybrid sales were below 2% of overall vehicle sales. For the year, hybrid growth still looks pretty healthy: in the first nine months of 2007, hybrid sales rose 38% while the general auto market fell by 3%. But this month’s results show that hybrids are suffering from the same malaise that is affecting all new vehicles. New and reworked hybrid models (including the Highlander Hybrid, Saturn VUE Green Line, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, and the Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon two-mode hybrids) will help when they arrive this fall, but consumer confidence must improve before hybrid sales can resume their growth trend.

US Sales

Our information is based on hybrid sales as reported by the manufacturers. For each model, this month’s sales are shown compared to sales in the previous month and at the same time last year. We also examine hybrid market share by model and manufacturer. The historical sales graph for top-selling hybrid models shows estimated 2007 volumes based on sales-to-date.

Hybrids sold in the U.S. (September 2007): 22,973

Regional Data

Looking Ahead

More specifications emerged for GM’s two-mode hybrid SUVs, which are scheduled to arrive in dealerships this December. Automotive News reported that fuel economy for the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Tahoe will be higher than previously expected, with two-wheel-drive versions attaining 21 MPG in city driving and 22 MPG on the highway. While still low in comparison to a Prius, the fuel economy of GM’s two-mode hybrids is respectable for a large, 5300-pound vehicle. In the city, the full-sized hybrid SUVs get about the same mileage as a small family sedan like the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, or Volkswagen Passat. On the highway, GM’s two-mode SUVs are a bit thirstier, using slightly less fuel than their non-hybrid counterparts, but far more than the average family sedan.

Overall, GM seems to have done to the Tahoe and Yukon what Toyota did to the Camry. Fuel economy of the hybrid versions is 10% higher on the highway, and about 50% better in the city. But we’ll have to wait and see if GM experiences the same sales success as Toyota has. Currently, one of every 10 Camrys sold in the US is a hybrid. If GM can achieve the same take rate, it will mean that roughly 20,000 households put a GM hybrid SUV in their garages next year, an exciting prospect for those who are eager to see hybrid technology become more popular.

The post September 2007 Dashboard appeared first on HybridCars.com.

"Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – June 2007.

"Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – June 2007.

August saw strong sales for the Toyota Prius. At 14,055 units, Prius sales were up 26% from the previous August, and calendar-year-to-date Prius sales were up over 75% from last year. But the Prius’ strong showing was not enough to compensate for weakness in the rest of the hybrid market. Year-over-year sales of all other hybrid models fell, dropping hybrids back down to less that 2% of overall vehicle sales. Sales of the Highlander Hybrid were especially low, although they are expected to rebound in October when Toyota begins shipping the redesigned 2008 model to dealers.

Consumer interest in hybrids may be waning in part due to gas prices, which shed 20 cents per gallon between the end of July and the end of August. Weaker consumer confidence, which limited purchases of all vehicles this month, likely also impacted hybrid sales. The result was a shift in the hybrid sales trend. Throughout 2007, hybrids consistently outperformed the general car market, showing double-digit gains while overall auto sales stagnated or declined. But in August, hybrid sales growth ended: year-over-year hybrid sales dropped by almost 5%, while the general market remained flat.

US Sales

Our information is based on hybrid sales as reported by the manufacturers. For each model, this month’s sales are shown compared to sales in the previous month and at the same time last year. We also examine hybrid market share by model and manufacturer. The historical sales graph for top-selling hybrid models shows estimated 2007 volumes based on sales-to-date.

Hybrids sold in the U.S. (August 2007): 25,384

Regional Data

Source: R. L. Polk & Co.

Curious where hybrid buyers live? We present the data in two ways. First, we list the 15 cities and states that boast the largest numbers of new hybrids on their roads within the past year. For example, residents in the New York City area put over 10,000 new hybrids on the road in 2006. Second, we adjust for population and look at hybrids per person (in states) or per household (in metro areas). This lets us include cities like Portland, OR: a city that has fewer overall vehicles (and thus fewer hybrids) but has more hybrids per capita than anywhere else.

• States with the highest hybrid sales
• States where hybrids are most popular
• Metropolitan areas with the highest hybrid sales
• Metropolitan areas where hybrids are most popular

The post August 2007 Dashboard appeared first on HybridCars.com.

"Top 5 global hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – March 2007.

and "Top 5 US hybrid markets" based on vehicle registrations January – May 2007.

July was a tough month for Detroit. For the first time ever, foreign automobile manufacturers outsold the Detroit three (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler). To make matters worse, the market share shift occurred in a contracting market. Nearly every manufacturer saw sales declines in July, including Toyota and Honda. Compared with July 2006, overall vehicle sales were down 12% this July. However, hybrid sales were up by 12%.

What’s driving the market share gains of foreign manufacturers? Among Toyota’s vehicles, the Prius posted the second highest growth of any model this year (the Yaris is #1). In Honda’s lineup, the Civic Hybrid has the third highest sales growth, behind the Fit and newly-redesigned CR-V. So while hybrids still only make up 2.25% of the U.S. vehicle market, hybrid models are showing some of the most impressive sales gains. This has led to an interesting trend so far in 2007. In the first seven months of this year, hybrid sales are up more than 50% while the overall car market is down by 3%. Manufacturers looking for share gains would be smart to invest in a growth segment: hybrids.

US Sales

Our information is based on hybrid sales as reported by the manufacturers. For each model, this month’s sales are shown compared to sales in the previous month and at the same time last year. We also examine hybrid market share by model and manufacturer. The historical sales graph for top-selling hybrid models shows estimated 2007 volumes based on sales-to-date.

Hybrids sold in the U.S. (July 2007): 28,895

Regional Data

Source: R. L. Polk & Co.

Curious where hybrid buyers live? We present the data in two ways. First, we list the 15 cities and states that boast the largest numbers of new hybrids on their roads within the past year. For example, residents in the New York City area put over 10,000 new hybrids on the road in 2006. Second, we adjust for population and look at hybrids per person (in states) or per household (in metro areas). This lets us include cities like Portland, OR: a city that has fewer overall vehicles (and thus fewer hybrids) but has more hybrids per capita than anywhere else.

• States with the highest hybrid sales
• States where hybrids are most popular
• Metropolitan areas with the highest hybrid sales
• Metropolitan areas where hybrids are most popular

Looking Ahead

Are there storm clouds on the horizon for hybrids? The latest research from JD Power and Associates suggests there are. In July, the automotive consultancy released its 2007 Alternative Powertrain Study, which indicated that the number of carbuyers considering a hybrid had dropped—from 57% in 2006 to 50% this year. The study also found that buyers considering hybrids were willing to pay less for a hybrid than in the past, and that consumers had tempered their expectations on hybrid fuel economy gains.

JD Power’s findings fueled a surge of pessimistic articles about the future of hybrids. But is the gloomy outlook justified? Sure, hybrid consideration has declined somewhat, but a fall from 57% to 50% is hardly major movement (by the way, what’s the margin of error on those results?) If half of all carbuyers still have a hybrid on their list, that means roughly 8 million shoppers will think about putting a hybrid in their garage this year. That seems to give hybrids lots of room for future growth.

The study’s other findings don’t seem like much cause for concern either. Carbuyers are learning more about hybrids and about the real fuel economy they deliver, which for many models is quite good (although not quite as impressive as the old EPA ratings suggested.) It’s a positive thing that hybrid shoppers are making more informed purchases: in fact, one of the goals of hybridcars.com is to help potential hybrid buyers make educated choices. But market analysts should remember that for many buyers, hybrids are about more than just the dollars and sense of fuel economy. Buying a car that makes a small contribution to resolving environmental problems or our dependence on foreign oil matters to people as well. Neither one of those factors seems to be included in the latest research results.

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