Hybrids Sales, What are the Real Trends?

Hybrids have received many accolades and criticisms since their inception, rarely has there been so much debate on the real facts. In researching sales figures I came across these sales figures concerning Hybrids from a variety of resources.

General Comments:

2000-2005 Hybrids sales have risen annually from 10,000 units to almost 206,000 units
Hybrid sales represent only 1.2 % of the total market sales for 2005
2010 Hybrid sales are estimated to increase to 10% of the market total if gas prices remain high.

The first 7 months of 2005 vs 2006 in sales:

Toyota:

Lexus RX400h sales are down 46.81% for the year
Lexus GS450h was released in May and has decreased every month since launch date
The Camry Hybrid was released in May and is on a strong increase each month
Prius sales are down 5.92% for the year.
Prius accounted for 52% of all hybrid sales
Highlander Hybrid sales are holding even at just under 3,000 a month

Honda:
Civic Hybrid sales are up 23.18% for the year
Accord Hybrid sales are down 59.76% for the year
Insight sales are up 59.34% (currently 83 units a month avg.)

Ford:
Escape/Mariner Hybrid sales are holding at around 2000 units a month


Conclusions:

Toyota:
Over ½ of all Hybrid sales are of one model (Prius)
Camry Hybrid sales are on track to outpace the Prius by the end of the year
Only the Camry Hybrid is on a sales increase for the year for Toyota.
Every Lexus Hybrid model sales are on the decline

Honda:
Insight sales are on the increase but still under 85 units a month
Civic Hybrid sales are up about the same number Prius sales are down.
Accord Hybrid sales are flat at 500 units per month vs. the Camry at 5000 units in July


Sources:

HybridCars.com
Ford Pressroom
Honda Pressroom
Toyota Pressroom

PlanoA4 - 8/30/2006 2:34:47 PM

0 Boost

The increase in annual sales for Hybrids is due to a larger amount of them being available to the public. Though it is too soon to tell for sure, the idea of the Hybrid being a performance enhancement is not being well recieved. The same can be said for a large SUV Hybrid. The public is not simply interested in those models at this time.

rocker - 8/30/2006 2:45:43 PM

+1 Boost

It happened in the 70's when oil prices and demand shot up and supply delined, everyone ran out and bought a Pinto, Chevette, Pacer, CVCC(Honda Civic, Datsun 210 and a VW Bug. It happened again in the 80's, everyone had to have a K-car, Chevette, a Toyota Corolla, a VW Rabbit, a Datsun or Toyota truck with 70hp. It happened again in the 90's during the first Gulf War. I have been through 3 of these eras and I will not succumb to this panic crisis again. You will have to pry my V-8 from my cold dead hands. Rock on.

PlanoA4 - 8/30/2006 2:50:44 PM

0 Boost

Will-

Lexus Hybrid Sales for the first seven months 2005 vs 2006:

RX400h: 23,339 units (2005) to 12,413 units (2006)

GS450h: 294 units (May), 231 units (June), 157 units (July)

jeff329 - 8/30/2006 2:53:28 PM

+1 Boost

GS450h sales shrank cause of supply issues not cause of the public not wanting them. All dealerships in LA get between 1 and 2 a month and all are sold for the next 3 months. 52 are being made for the entire western area for Sept and Oct.

aznstuart - 8/30/2006 3:04:34 PM

+1 Boost

I thought Lexus is limiting the GS450h models to like only 2500 units.

PlanoA4 - 8/30/2006 3:10:53 PM

+1 Boost

You would think that a new model should have sufficient stock available for the initial few months at least. To run into supply issues after the second month of such moderate sales seems a bit short sighted. I have not heard of any supply issues but they could exist. They are available here in Dallas with no back log at this tim. So it may be more of a California thing.

1970toyotamarc - 8/30/2006 3:23:47 PM

+2 Boost

Not a bad breakdown of trends, Plano. But a little thoughtful analysis provides some (I think) reasonable explanations.

The tanking 400h sales makes sense. I dont understand the point of the 400h right now. The new RX350 has the same power with decent mileage and emissions. I think Lexus has put the 400h in a holding pattern for at least a year while it decides what to do with it. Go upscale like the 450h, or middle like the Camry hybrid. But it just cant compete with itself anymore. The 350 is just too good, and so much better than the 330. (The 400h was racking up good numbers when it was sold alongside the inferior 330.) I guess Lexus will just build enough to satisfy a small demand, and hopefully re-evaluate it next year. I dont think this shows a real trend for the concept of luxury hybrid SUV's. As you say, the Highlander continues to sell well, which makes sense since it is sold alongside a Highlander that has not been upgraded (still using 3.3L engine). Hybrid buyers awnt something tangible for the premium price. The Highlander hybrid gives it, right now the 400h does not.

The GS450h is too soon to tell, and like others have said is designed to be sold in small numbers. Tho its sales may have to pick up since the GS430 seems to be more and more so having limited availability.

The Prius is only marginally down, and mostly due to supply issues, and the fact that good options (Camry) now exist.

KeyserSoze - 8/30/2006 5:28:13 PM

+2 Boost

Plano, your fixation with Toyota, Japan and related topics is fascinating. What is your motivation.

1970toyotamarc - 8/30/2006 8:22:14 PM

+1 Boost

I'm not sure that I suggested anyone trade their 330 for a 350, just that if you're in the market for an RX, chances are you will be less interested in a 400h when the 350 is so goood. A year ago, the 400h was worth the premium over the 330. And I believe the engine has not only more power, but better mileage and runs cleaner, which is why it compares so favorably to the more expensive hybrid, which used to have all of those claims.

00JT - 8/30/2006 9:15:14 PM

+1 Boost

Plano,

The RX400h sales are down because Lexus upped the normal RX to the RX350. Before there was more of a reason to buy the 400h. Power and fuel efficiency. Now it's really more of just fuel efficiency which apparently isn't good enough of a selling point. However if you look at the average transaction price of Lexus hybrids, you'll see that the RX400h still sells for close to full MSRP and GS450h sells at MSRP or higher.

PlanoA4 - 8/31/2006 8:15:54 AM

+1 Boost

KeyserSoze - Japan is arguably one of the most dominate forces in automobiles, so to "Fixate" or "Focus" on them is entirely natural. To ignore Japanese material content is very short sighted. Besides in this article other than Ford there are no players other than the Japanese.

PlanoA4 - 8/31/2006 8:19:32 AM

+1 Boost

00JT- You have a point but this is all I have at this time. We will see once the RX400 hits the market, but with the SUV market pretty depressed, I find it hard to believe that it will be a great seller.

PlanoA4 - 8/31/2006 8:21:42 AM

+1 Boost

BTW the RX sales were pulled directly from Toyota.

Cliff - 9/1/2006 12:49:35 AM

+1 Boost

I read that Prius sales decreased, because of supply issues also. They didn't supply as many vehicles and thus less of them sold.