Hybrid Car Sales In U.S. Up 38% In 2007
Source: Associated Press
Published: Thursday, May 01, 2008
Published: Thursday, May 01, 2008
While U.S. car sales are down, more hybrids are being driven off the lot.
New data show that hybrid sales jumped 38 percent last year, even as overall vehicle sales dropped 3 percent.
One analyst said the rising cost of gasoline may affect some buyers, but fuel prices aren't the main reason hybrid sales are going up.
Instead, he said, sales are probably higher because buyers have more options. Sedans such as the Nissan Altima, the Saturn Aura and the Lexus LS600h and sport utility vehicles such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Mazda Tribute now come in hybrid versions. The analyst also said hybrids have been around long enough for consumers to trust the technology. While sales are going up, hybrids comprise only 2.2 percent of the market share. The Toyota Prius was the best-selling hybrid last year.
Instead, he said, sales are probably higher because buyers have more options. Sedans such as the Nissan Altima, the Saturn Aura and the Lexus LS600h and sport utility vehicles such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Mazda Tribute now come in hybrid versions. The analyst also said hybrids have been around long enough for consumers to trust the technology. While sales are going up, hybrids comprise only 2.2 percent of the market share. The Toyota Prius was the best-selling hybrid last year.