Has The Hybrid Met Its Match? Diesel Sales Pick Up As Hybrid Sales Fall Short Of Industry Gains

Sales of gas-electric cars jumped nearly 20 percent in May, compared to last month, outpacing the overall vehicle market that increased by 12.3 percent. Sales of the 2010 Toyota Prius, which continues to make up half of all hybrid purchases, increased by 13.5 percent to 14,248 units—despite a relatively poor showing by the entire Toyota brand. Industry observers believe that Toyota has yet to overcome negative publicity from safety recalls earlier this years, yet car shoppers are apparently excusing the Toyota Prius from those quality concerns.

Sales of the Ford Fusion Hybrid accelerated by a whopping 64 percent to 2,486 units. Ford also added nearly 25 percent more sales of the Ford Escape Hybrid. At this point, Ford has decisively leapfrogged Honda to become the number two seller of hybrid cars. Toyota owns 68 percent of the hybrid market; Ford holds 14 percent; and Honda has dropped to nearly 9 percent of hybrid car sales. The upcoming Honda CR-Z hybrid might help the company regain the second place spot—and Honda executives are promising a clean-slate approach for future hybrids.





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kpaxx - 6/11/2010 1:48:12 PM

+2 Boost

I was in a Ford Dealorship today asking questions about their Fusion Hybrid. I asked him if I would have to change my driving habits to get the stated mileage. He said I would have to keep my foot off the gas as much as possible our I wouldn't be able to get the mileage stated. I really do not like having to drive like my grandma to get good mileage. I have in the past owned diesel cars that averaged 45-50 mpg and changed nothing in my driving habits. I'm really sold on diesel cars because of their drive-ability along with their great mileage. Most people do not realize just how good diesels are. I'm not a road racer but whenever I need or want to push on the gas a little I do not want to worry about my mileage going through the floor! With a diesel you don't have to worry about it, just knowing with the great torque on tap that comes on about 1700-1900 rpms. Those of you who haven't drove a diesel car, go drive one so you can see what I mean.

truckman - 6/11/2010 3:28:02 PM

-6 Boost

Because buyers buy more of one brand means nothing about the quality of the vehicle, people are generally sheep and buy into advertising and old myths as to what is good, and no I am not singling Toyota out,lol

truckman - 6/11/2010 3:29:15 PM

-5 Boost

I would rather have the 3 series BMW diesel that gets better mileage than the Prius, did any of you have to think about that one?

truckman - 6/11/2010 10:31:38 PM

-1 Boost

Sheep, I told you,lol

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/12/2010 12:43:39 PM

-2 Boost

The 335d at twice the price offer twice the performance, over twice the horse power and over three times the torque, and quantum levels of more "fun to drive".

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/12/2010 2:15:19 PM

-3 Boost

BMW 335d Lexus GS450h Advantage

MRSP $45.375 $58,325 BMW
BHP 265 340 Lexus
Torque 267 425 BMW
0-60 5.6 5.9 Lexus
60-0 109 ft 123 ft BMW
Slalom 63.5 mph 67.3 mph BMW

Fuel Econ
City 23 22 BMW
Highway 25 36 BMW
Observed 22 29.6 BMW


Performance number are from Edmunds Inside Line other figure from company respective websites.

So by opting for the BMW I loss .3 seconds 0-60 but get better braking, better handling, significantly better fuel economy, and save $12,950. Which car looks more ridiculous?

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/12/2010 2:53:46 PM

-2 Boost

Let's put $6000.00 worth of options on the 335d and you still get; loss .3 seconds 0-60 but get better braking, better handling, significantly better fuel economy, and save $6,950.

Advantage BMW

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/12/2010 3:13:29 PM

-2 Boost

I supported my arguement with facts, so who'e the fanboy?

FanboyOfTheTruth - 6/12/2010 4:05:22 AM

0 Boost

Ah... like sunrise, the Autolies and 009's pathetic headlines. Lucky for him he's got enough Euro sheeps of similar intelligence levels here to make him feel good about the desperateness in his headlines while the rest of us read the article itself.

drell1emc - 6/12/2010 7:22:07 AM

+3 Boost

The importance of city or traffic jam driving is were the diesel would lose out. If the automakers use diesel hybrids you have no point.

truckman - 6/13/2010 3:58:18 AM

0 Boost

This was posted on here on Autospies, http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/05/25/bmw-320d-efficientdynamics-edition-runs-1013-miles-on-single-tank/
They got 75 MPG highway with the diesel 3 series BMW! read the article and weep fan boys,lol I mean that in all the best fun, who would rather drive a Prius? I;ll take the more efficient car thanks, oh look it has over 300 foot pounds of torque too and handles great....do I have to say more?

drell1emc - 6/13/2010 11:25:25 AM

0 Boost

People keep speaking as though Automakers can not make diesel-hybrid. When BMW and MERC bring over their Diesel-hybrid, german fanboys will change their tune. You guys are pathetically shortsighted, I would think a diesel hybrid 3 series, infiniti G, and a4 would dirve very well and if you use your car to just get you from one point to another a diesel hybrid 110mpg prius would satisfy you.

truckman - 6/14/2010 1:37:57 PM

+1 Boost

Impressive Huu76, 100mpg, It takes a professor to put a solar panel on the Prius,lol the point is the BMW would be a lot funner to drive, If you had money to burn what would you rather drive? I would assume that they would have comparable fuel mileage.