October Hybrid Sales Improve In October But Still Weak Vs. Last Year

After months of lackluster sales, purchasing of hybrid cars showed signs of life in October. Automakers reported 24,228 sales, the highest volume since May. That put hybrids at 2.55 percent of the new car market for October.  Hybrid sales were 9.2 percent higher in October than in the previous month, yet year-to-date sales of gas-electric vehicles are about 8 percent below last year’s levels so far.

The uptake in hybrid sales was supported to some degree by gas prices, which slightly increased in early October, and rose again in early November. Price volatility at the pumps is a major factor supporting sales of hybrids and other fuel-efficient cars. However, Volkswagen and other diesel car manufacturers sold 3 percent fewer oil burners in October. Nonetheless, diesel sales so far this year have demonstrated an upswing of more than 40 percent.




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800over - 11/10/2010 3:41:09 PM

+1 Boost

As well when the economy is down people aren't keen to spend the extra $ a hybrid costs..

thetruth01 - 11/10/2010 2:23:34 PM

+4 Boost

Referencing that clean diesel chart, I dont see how it jives with last week's article about diesels making up a third of some models sales. (Other than the Jetta. Which we all know to be selling a lot of diesels.) Does anyone else remember this article? How are 271 335d diesels one third of the 3 series totals? Not that I'm surprised. That article last week seemed a lot of b.s. to me.

Agent009 - 11/10/2010 3:25:14 PM

+1 Boost

It is against like models, not the whole series.

thetruth01 - 11/10/2010 3:37:31 PM

+1 Boost

Well that's a little disingenuous, but okay. That's like saying you can only compare the Fusion hybrid to the 4 cylinder Fusion, or the the MKZ hybrid to....nothing (there is no 4 cylinder gas only model), 100% take rate!! (notice I'm not referencing Toyota here, thanks Ford for helpin me out so I dont seem like a Toyota fanboy, which we all know I am.) So the 335d 4 door is only being compared to the 335i 4 door? Does it only count if they are only compared to the same colors or trim levels? Probably doesn't include any 335is or anything with sport add-ons, either. I mean, you see how ridiculous this can get?

knowitall1985 - 11/10/2010 3:54:59 PM

+1 Boost

As soon as gas prices go up sales on hybrids go up.