Hybrid Car Review

Honda Civic Hybrid sales continue to grow in the UK at a rapid pace. Sales through February are up 206 percent.

"The performance of Civic Hybrid over the past 12 months is pleasing, but not surprising," says John Kingston, Environment Manager, Honda (UK). "In 2007, the Alternative Fuel segment was 76 per cent up – further evidence that car buyers in the UK are looking at emissions and other environmental credentials before purchasing."

The Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid continue to profit from the London congestion zone and the new proposals on limiting emissions in Europe.

What that means to those of us in the US: More growth overseas means more companies will be coming out with and developing hybrid technology. That will bring costs down as numbers begin to ramp up.

So far, however GM and Ford feel that hybrid growth will be limited in Europe.

Press Release Follows:

Honda's low-emission Civic Hybrid has recorded rapid growth during the first months of 2008, with sales up by 206 per cent.

CO2 emissions of just 109g/km make the Civic Hybrid one of the cleanest saloons on the market - but it's also one of the fastest growing cars in the UK.

"The performance of Civic Hybrid over the past 12 months is pleasing, but not surprising," says John Kingston, Environment Manager, Honda (UK). "In 2007, the Alternative Fuel segment was 76 per cent up - further evidence that car buyers in the UK are looking at emissions and other environmental credentials before purchasing."

Honda expects the proposed changes to the VED system announced by the Chancellor in his Budget earlier today, to continue to drive customers towards cleaner cars.

"The growth of lower-emission cars, like Civic Hybrid, will form a solid platform for Honda to launch our Global Hybrid car in early 2009 - which will be smaller and more affordable," adds John.