Washington, D.C. - Combined sales of hybrids in the U.S. in May reached a new peak of 23,554 units, or 1.1 per cent higher than the previous record of 23,307 in August 2005, according to a report by the Green Car Congress. Much of the increase was due to the first full-month sales of the new Toyota Camry Hybrid, which sold more than 3,000 units. While total U.S. light-duty vehicle sales dropped 0.7 per cent in May 2006 from May 2005, combined sales of hybrids were up 39 per cent in May from May 2005, and up 9 per cent from April 2006. Hybrids represented 1.6 per cent of all light-duty vehicles in May 2006. Toyota maintained its leadership, with sales of 8,103 Prius models, 3,032 Camry Hybrids, and 3,755 Highlander Hybrid sales, which represented 34.7 per cent of total Highlander sales. The Lexus RX400h sold 2,006 units, while the new GS 450h sold 294 units. Ford sold 2,862 Escape and Mariner Hybrid units; Honda sold 2,890 Civic Hybrids, 520 Accord Hybrids, and 92 Insights, a vehicle that will be discontinued at the end of the 2006 model year. Source: CanadianDriver
Was it about two months ago we were reading "hybrids are so over" articles in the media? If anybody sees where the retractions get published, lemme know.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Jun 2 2006, 12:33 PM) [snapback]264682[/snapback]</div> Whaddya mean ?? Car journalists are never wrong. Or biased. Or paid-off. Or ignorant.
I wonder if Toyota sped-up the counter on their El Segundo, CA billboard? http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/11/gallons_saved_t.php
heh.. Camry Hybrid sold more than the Escape and Mariner combined. But still, Ford's way ahead of DC and GM.
I think Toyota hit a home run with it's marketing strategy of pushing the HSD over hybrid models. I also think that, Insight aside, the future of hybrids looks like it will be the true hybrid low mileage over the 'soft" hybrid power boost. It will be interesting to see how the sales for June look comparing hybrid sales with GMs latest sales strategy. GM's bribe the gas addicts to buy our stupid cars campaign will have had an entire month to show if it's working or not. I'm happy to see the CamBrid is selling well. My local dealer doesn't have any. They are "order" only. Toyota could double it's output and still they would fly off the lots. All good. All good.
