U.S. hybrid sales increased by 38%, Prius leads segment

According to data released by R.L. Polk & Co., an automotive research firm, U.S. registrations of new hybrid vehicles increased by 38% in 2007 to a record 350,289. Even though hybrids make up just 2.2 percent of the U.S. automotive market, they are growing even as overall auto sales decline by 3 percent.

Of course, Toyota’s Prius hybrid led the sales taking up 51 percent of the hybrid market, up 43 percent from 2006.

R.L. Polk & Co., noted that most buyers tend to stay within the segment they were previously in when opting for a hybrid. More than half of those who purchased a Lexus LS600h had previously owned a vehicle in the luxury segment. The research firm also pointed out the importance of automakers offering a hybrid SUV even though some believe that giant hybrids don’t save much fuel as compared to their gasoline counterparts.

California remained the top state for hybrid sales in 2007 accounting for 26 percent of all hybrid registrations, up 35 percent from 2006.

Source: CNNMoney

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