A few thoughts about May hybrid sales
Honda hybrid sales up compared to last yearThe US economy might be in a recession, but the US auto industry is in an outright depression. Auto sales for the year are down significantly compared to last year for all automakers.
And, it isn't just auto sales that are down, but gas prices as well. Last year, gas prices pushed the sales of hybrid cars into uncharted territory. This year, some wonder if the steep drop in hybrid sales proves that hybrids are but a fad.
A hybrid sales fad?
Despite the recession and significantly lower gas prices, Honda is selling more hybrid cars so far this year than it sold last year thanks to the launch of the Honda Insight hybrid. In fact, Honda hybrid sales are up 7.5 percent compared to last year. That's right. You read UP.
Toyota's hybrid flagship, the Toyota Prius, still experienced a sales decline of 30 percent compared to this time last year. Considering that Prius sales are down 45 percent on the year, however, 30 percent is an improvement. And, with pre-orders flying in for the new 2010 Prius, 2009 could still end up being a stellar year for Prius sales.
So, surprisingly, despite the recession and lower gas prices, 2009 will still probably be a strong year for hybrid sales. And, in this world wide recession, if this is as low as gas prices go, the future of gas prices can only be higher, and that will only help future hybrid sales.
Labels: honda insight hybrid, hybrid vehicle sales, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
10:11 PM
11 Comments:
Dahc,
With the highest unemployment rate over the last 30 years, it is more like a depression too.
And again, Chevy Silverado and Ford F are bestsellers. People are stupid or do they really need it for work?
lb-
Technically, I think most economists still call our economic situation a recession. Nonetheless, depression-like conditions are everywhere.
Considering all of that, if Toyota can finish out the year strong with the new Prius, this could still be a very good year for hybrid vehicle sales. And once any economic recovery starts picking up pace, gas prices and hybrid sales will have no where to go but up.
Truck sales.....arggggg. That's why we're doing this cash for clunker sale to help drive truck sales. Obviously, some need these vehicles. Many do not. Regardless, these vehicles need much higher fuel efficiency standards.
I'd really like to see some serious effort put towards hybridizing this entire segment - and that's just for starters.
I read that in MID 2010 Toyota will bring the European version of the American Corolla here...why is that significant ? Well they say it will come with optional SYNERGY HYBRID DRIVE system, virtually identical to Prius III ! and will supposedly be cheaper than Prius but who knows.
I would take Toyotas hybrid technology over anyone right now..they are tops...Im waiting for LI ION hybrid in compact from Toyota,,it will get outstanding MPG and I think outsell Hondas versions.
i think that's the auris in europe, correct?
toyota has been talking about the possibility of a number of new hybrid options, including the auris, as well as even smaller yaris-based hybrid.
last i remember, toyota hadn't fully committed to a time frame for the auris hybrid.
do you have a source for that story?
There is both Yaris & Corolla in Eurpoe, though american version of both Yaris & Corolla are slightly bigger.
yeah, i think they sell the auris in europe, which is built on the same platform as the corolla.
still, i haven't heard specific dates for auris hybrid production.
back in march i made a post on the yaris and auris hybrids.
at that time the yaris had been confirmed, but not the auris, although the auris is being designed that it could carry the HSD.
The hybrids are coming......
A lot more models.
More affordable models.
This year Prius and Insight. Next year Fit and Yaris.
With or without higher gas prices, hybrid sales are going to increase significantly.
Too bad these are mostly Japanese Hybrids.....
Hybrid cars are going to the regular cars i another decade. All the fuel guzzling cars will just fade in oblivion just like the muscle cars or classic cars. we will soon be writing the obituary of many more car models, than the expected.
Rahul
Indian Car Advisor (Carazoo.com)
Indigo Incarnates
I think what will help make hybrids more mainstream is when Honda launches the Fit hybrid and when Toyota designs a Yaris-class hybrid. Both options should cost under $19k.
I really hope that, after gas is back up to $4/gallon, that guzzler-SUVs will be gone for good.
Are gas guzzlers really the main problem any more? Pickup trucks, it seems to me, are a really big problem. They are the top selling vehicles in America, but their fuel economy is not very good.
Certainly, many need these vehicles, but their fuel economy is a real problem that should be addressed. Yet, there seems to be little interest by the government, industry, or consumer to do something in this segment..
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