Hybrid Sales Falter For 3rd Year In A Row Is The Fad Finally Over?

Hybrid Sales Falter For 3rd Year In A Row Is The Fad Finally Over?
Hybrid car sales fell for the third consecutive year, dropping nearly 6 percent in a year when overall vehicle sales jumped by 11 percent. That harsh reality could give ammunition to hybrid critics who argue that gas-electric vehicles were never viable, or that they only serve as a bridge to more robust vehicle electrification such as electric cars. But a deeper analysis reveals why hybrid car losses probably leveled off in 2010, and sales are poised for growth in the coming years.

First, for most of the year, a down economy and low gas prices acted as a double whammy against hybrids. On top of that, Toyota—the biggest hybrid seller and the brand most associated with hybrids—suffered serious blows to its reputation for quality and reliable technology.


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800over800over - 1/27/2011 4:10:25 PM
+2 Boost
And didn't a hybrid just win NA car of the year? If the "fad" is over someone forgot to tell the manufacturers.


knowitall1985knowitall1985 - 1/25/2011 4:57:10 PM
+4 Boost
Hybrid is here to stay and as soon as gas prices shoot up so will the sales. It needs to hit 4.00 dollars a gallon and the panic will start, just like it did a couple years ago.


Agent009Agent009 - 1/26/2011 9:27:04 AM
-2 Boost
Well I thought the whole idea of the Hybrid was to be GREEN, price of gas or payback really didn't factor in.




dl767captaindl767captain - 1/27/2011 2:10:01 AM
-1 Boost
hybrids are only considered to be green by the hippies, since in reality making the batteries for the hybrids isn't exactly green. Don't believe everything you hear from the snobby prius drivers, most people are looking to save money on gas, not save the planet, when buying a hybrid


800over800over - 1/27/2011 4:11:01 PM
+2 Boost
The problem 009 is that you don't think.


800over800over - 1/27/2011 4:16:35 PM
+2 Boost
009 posts a story that says that Hybrid sales shot up 30% in December due to increased fuel costs, then argues the point.


dl767captaindl767captain - 1/25/2011 5:52:57 PM
+4 Boost
Once gas starts getting high again, which it is now, we'll see people begin to purchase hybrids again. THe problem with existing hybrids is the higher price, when gas is cheap it takes longer to make your investment back. It's this reason my dad didn't go with the RXh when he got his car, it would take too long to make the investment worth it. But if gas gets up in the $4 territory and higher then it is easier to justify the added expense of the hybrid.


knowitall1985knowitall1985 - 1/25/2011 6:58:35 PM
+3 Boost
You don't buy a 450h just for the better mileage it's also about power and refinement. You pay several thousand more for a V-8 in an X5 and an ML and the mileage is worse. People buy a V-8 for power and refinement(smoothness). Your dad should have bought the 450h.(((:


dl767captaindl767captain - 1/25/2011 7:30:42 PM
+3 Boost
He got the RX, trust me the hybrid didn't do much for power there. Now the GS I would agree with you but the RX was about the most exciting thing I could get him to consider..... the problem is the people who would consider buying a hybrid aren't the same people who would consider buying a V8


nguyenvuminhnguyenvuminh - 1/25/2011 9:17:56 PM
+6 Boost
009 - you should ask MB, BMW, Audi, Ferrari, etc. whether the fad is over in lieu of the recent news on their hybrid introductions. It doesn't matter what is the origin of the "fad" (consumer, gov't, green movement, etc.), the issue is whether the fad has a market place in the future (and by "market place", I mean it represents a percentage of cars sold).


g2okg2ok - 1/25/2011 11:13:46 PM
+1 Boost
I don't think this is a fad now that more companies are making hybrids due to mandates. There will be more competition and better cars.

The Prius, which is one of the most recognizable hybrids brands - sold about the same units in CY-10 as CY-09. That's not bad for that type of car. Now they will have a family of them to sell.

As an aside - For me the interior is just odd on the Prius. Toyota should just normalize it.


MorePowerMorePower - 1/26/2011 3:08:03 AM
+3 Boost
It only takes two things to spur increased Hybrid sales, maybe three:

1. Gas prices to increase beyond $4.25/gallon for an extended period
2. Auto manufacturers add hybrid drives to cars that don't look like hybrids.

3. Auto manufacturers making hybrid drives standard to lower unit costs


Agent009Agent009 - 1/26/2011 9:28:03 AM
-2 Boost
Or if Hybrids become a no cost option.


t_bonet_bone - 1/26/2011 9:24:34 AM
+4 Boost
I remember when digital cameras were a "toy" and yes at 1 megapixel and $1,200 they were.

I think the same when I see hybrids with 15 or 30 horsepower electric motors and non-lithium batteries.

The good stuff is coming, boys.


knowitall1985knowitall1985 - 1/26/2011 10:39:34 AM
+1 Boost
More have to be sold in order for the price to come down.....


knowitall1985knowitall1985 - 1/26/2011 10:43:15 AM
+2 Boost
captain your wrong again the 450h has much more torque from the electric motors. This torque is available right away electric motors produce massive torque at 1rpm......


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 1/27/2011 1:43:11 AM
-1 Boost
hybridcars.com--a site dedicated to promoting hybrid cars--says sales have declined for 3 years in a row and provides hard data. you say that 5 out of 7 hybrids have sales gains--with no data provided.

hmmmm....yeah, i believe you.


800over800over - 1/27/2011 4:12:54 PM
+2 Boost
Is it possible that someone on Hybridcars.com ever quoted a 009 autospies story?



800over800over - 1/27/2011 4:20:43 PM
+2 Boost
enthusiast......... wipe the drool off your lip......the website you just mentioned is where he got the info. At the bottom of the article, you know the one we're all talking about? Maybe if you read the whole thing you'd see the numbers showing the top 5 out of 7. Or you could go back to trying to walk and chew gum at the same time. Would you like the link or can you click the "Read article" above?


thstonethstone - 1/26/2011 6:50:16 PM
+5 Boost
Its all about the price of gas.


mini22mini22 - 1/26/2011 9:20:27 PM
+3 Boost
Yes-It's the gas prices. We are still not there yet. But eventually we will be. Further there may be a small tax increase on gas as well. It's only a matter of time. Hybrids and small cars will be hot again very soon.Automakers are planing for it so they won't be caught out like they were the last go around.
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