Hybrid Car Review

Hybrid car sales were up by 82% from last November with a total of 33,233 units sold. Ford, Toyota, and Honda all saw big increases with their biggest sellers. Nissan posted their biggest sales month yet after releasing the Altima Hybrid in February.

Make											Model						Nov-06	Nov-07	% Change
Honda											Accord						311	204	-34%
Honda											Civic						2208	3238	47%
Honda											Insight						2	0	-100%
Toyota											Prius						8008	16737	109%
Toyota											Highlander						1667	2577	55%
Toyota											Camry						3100	5118	65%
Toyota											GS 450h						176	100	-43%
Toyota											RX 400h						1327	1674	26%
Toyota											LS600hL						0	170	-
Ford											Escape/Mariner						1484	2224	50%
Nissan											Altima						0	1191	-
Total																	18283	33233	82%
Make											Model						Cumulative, 2006	Cumulative, 2007	% Change
Honda											Accord						5235	3255	-38%
Honda											Civic						28843	29352	2%
Honda											Insight						719	3	-100%
Toyota											Prius						97680	167009	71%
Toyota											Highlander						29131	19261	-34%
Toyota											Camry						27336	49508	81%
Toyota											GS 450h						1532	1776	16%
Toyota											RX 400h						18180	15259	-16%
Toyota											LS600hL						18180	15259	-
Ford											Escape/Mariner						20581	22843	11%
Nissan											Altima						0	7424	-
Total																	247417	330949	34%

Year to date sales are also up by 34%. Hybrid sales had been down for the first time in August and in September, but jumped up by 30% last month. Accord and Highlander Hybrid sales continue to suffer, year to date, but the top four sellers; Prius, Camry, Civic and Escape/Mariner are all up for the year.

The two months of decreases could be from the changeover in model years, which was especially affecting the Highlander Hybrid. Sluggish sales of the Civic Hybrid contributed as well. But high gas prices have most likely contributed to the quick bounce back.

Toyota continues its dominance of the hybrid car market. 1 out of every 2 hybrids sold last month was a Prius. 4 out of every 5 were from Toyota or Lexus. The other players so far have had limited choices. Honda has retired the Insight and will soon retire the Accord, while Nissan limits sales of the Altima Hybrid to only eight states. Ford also suffers from lack of variety, with only the Escape/Mariner (and soon to be Mazda Tribute) for sale. In other words, they are all the same car with different badging.

GM hybrid car sales (Vue and Aura Hybrids) are not shown for two reasons. First, they don't break out their numbers and second, both cars are considered 'mild' hybrids.

Hybrid Car Sales, October 2007
Hybrid Car Sales, November 2006