Hybrid Car Review

J.D. Powers and Associates is predicting a modest increase in hybrid car sales next year, up 31,000 units from this year. (Source: MLive)

HYBRID SALES & MARKET SHARE

2000: 9,350 — 0.1%
2001: 19,177 — 0.1%
2002: 37,993 — 0.2%
2003: 47,524 — 0.3%
2004: 85,525 — 0.5%
2005: 206,858 — 1.2%
2006: 254,143 — 1.5%
2007: 351,000 — 2.2%
2008: 382,000 — 2.4%
2009: 614,000 — 3.8%
2010: 772,000 — 4.7%
2011: 938,000 — 5.6%
2012: 1,007,000 — 6%

2007 figures are preliminary; 2008 and beyond are projections.
Source: J.D. Power and Associates

Next years sales growth will come from the additional models from GM, Chrysler and Ford. While the large portion of sales will still come from Toyota, with nothing new from Toyota, Lexus or Honda until 2009, sales growth will be modest.

Sales skyrocketed between 2006 and 2007 due to the production increase on the Prius. The Camry Hybrid and Prius were competing for space, but after Camry production moved, Prius sales increased to their current levels. The Prius is now one of the top 10 cars being sold in the U.S.

Despite the attention paid to hybrid models at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, industry analysts say a combination of factors, including often-hefty price premiums and an acceptance by consumers of $3-per-gallon gasoline, will temper sales of hybrids this year. That's despite the introduction of new hybrids such as the Saturn Green Line Aura and Vue and the Chevrolet Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid SUV.

That's also because supplies will be limited even if they do become popular. Ford is just now thinking they may make a profit on every hybrid car they sell. And even though Ford claims they are hard pressed to keep up with the hybrid car demand, they have not increased production. Nissan has limited sales of their Altima Hybrid to just eight states, because they hate selling cars for a loss. I imagine GM and Chrysler will be facing the same secenario for a few years with their new full hybrids (two-mode hybrid engine). Sure they could build more hybrids, but should they when they are losing money on each one sold?

Sales will pick up steam once again in 2009, when the next generation Prius and a new Lexus model is expected, plus Honda's new global hybrid. All three will be dedicated hybrids which will concentrate on fuel efficiency.