Going Green Is Great, But Do Poor Hybrid Sales Signal That The Gimmick Is Over?

Sales of hybrid cars fell by 17.5 percent in June, compared to one year ago, while the overall car market grew by more than 14 percent. With gas prices remaining low, consumers looking for a new car were not motivated to spend more money on a fuel-efficient car. At the same time, carmakers were apparently eager to put incentives on conventional models, but not to extend those offers to gas-electric cars.

The comparison of June 2010 versus June 2009 underscores the importance of gas prices for greener fuel-efficient cars. A year ago, hybrids saw a bump in hybrid sales along with the usual rise in gas prices at the beginning of the summer. This year, gas prices actually fell. So, despite outrage over the Gulf Oil Spill—which is producing a stronger-than-ever desire for alternatives—consumers apparently are not willing to spend for green.

It all adds up to a fairly dismal scenario for 2010 hybrid sales. Halfway through the year, and we’re on track for the third straight year of declining hybrid sales—although the drop will probably be not as bad as the two previous years. Year-to-date sales stand at 130,000—up by 3 percent. But that’s not likely to last, because hybrid sales jumped with cash-for-clunkers in summer 2009.

Hybrid Sales	Units 21,679	vs Last Month -23.1%	vs June 2009 -17.5%	CTYD 130,911	vs CTYD 2009 3.1%
Vehicle Sales	983,738	-10.8%	14.4%	5,614,023	16.7%

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drell1emc - 7/8/2010 3:01:04 PM

-2 Boost

The big reasons for this maybe due to toyota's drive and die policy. I would guess they lead the world in hybrid sales and toyota has been terrible the last 8 months. No more than that I would think.

Agent009 - 7/8/2010 3:19:33 PM

+1 Boost

I think the consumer is getting smarter, right now Hybrids will never pay themselves off. I have said it numerous times, the average consumer will only go green if it saves them money.

drell1emc - 7/8/2010 4:52:33 PM

+1 Boost

we will have to wait and see, if Infiniti's claims are true I would but one in a heartbeat. Change is always hard for some people, but I am willing to evaluate the new hybrids when they come out on a case by case basis. The more money I can keep in my pocket the better. I would choose the hybrid over a option that maybe offered, keep the price down.
I would make my money back quicker due the my long commute. I keep my cars about 7-8 years anyway

tango - 7/8/2010 7:08:22 PM

+2 Boost

I put it to you that the majority of people who would buy a hybrid are not doing so because they are environmentally conscious. They do so because they hate paying for fuel. I'm in the latter group. It sickens me to stop at a gas station and pay for something that will eventually be spat out the tailpipe. But these sales figures are perhaps as a result of the lack of a wide variety of hybrids. Some of them are a waste of time (Malibu, Tahoe, Civic), while the others are either expensive (Fusion), or kinda small for the buyer's needs (Prius). Then there are those who want a stick shift car. Then there may be those that are waiting for the Volt or the Leaf. Lots of factors abound.

bfghemicuda - 7/10/2010 3:25:41 PM

+1 Boost

I agree, good point

uaw_lax - 7/8/2010 11:58:06 PM

+1 Boost

It just this easy most hybrids are not fun to drive
2. most Hybrids are just dog ugly.
3. Make a Miata Hybrid or a lotus elise hybrid.

BondMI6 - 7/9/2010 2:31:47 AM

+3 Boost

I agree for once with uaw_lax- until Hybrids get sexier and more exciting they will remain Cameron Diaz mobiles.........

I do see Tesla growing though.........

t_bone - 7/9/2010 9:59:17 AM

-1 Boost

There is no gimmick about hybrids. What we have a bunch of crappy technical implementations that are so weak about the electric side of things that they show only a slight benefit.

A lot of non-technical people will be eating their words about hybrids when the Porsche 918 comes out.