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Low Gas Prices Hurt Hybrid Sales, Hybrid Websites

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May 3, 2009

2 Replies

bwilson4web says:

LOL! Then the author of that article has a little problem with understanding what the heck is going on ... not that I care what he or his reader think. As an alternative, I would recommend:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009...0504.html#more

For Toyota, the trend does not look so good:
. . .
- Sales of the Camry Hybrid were down 67.1% to 2,198 units, representing 8.7% of Camry sales. Sales of conventional Camry models were down 31%.
- Sales of the Highlander Hybrid were down 63.8% to 933 units, representing 16.7% of Highlander sales. Sales of conventional Highlander models were down 37%.
- Sales of the RX 400h Hybrid were down 59.7% to 655 units, representing 10.5% of RX sales. Sales of conventional RX models were up 1%.
- Sales of the GS450h were down 59.8% to 33 units, representing 7.1% of GS sales. Sales of conventional GS models were down 71%.
- Sales of the LS 600h L were down 84.4% to 19 units, representing 2.5% of LS sales. Sales of the conventional LS models were down 60%
Then take a deep breath and then click on "Reported Hybrids Percentage Share of US New Vehicle Sales" and we see a trend line headed up. It isn't as dramatic as last year when gasoline went to $3-4/gal but it is solidly progressing upwards. In short, hybrids are still gaining market share. Toyota has a problem but if they announce an 'inventory closeout' sale in May along with the 2010 ... well I think May and June will look pretty darn good.

Bob Wilson
centrider says:

Jason said:

It's no surprise to hear that the slump in hybrid car sales in the past year is in large part due to the drop in gas prices. But what may not be as well-known is that hybrid consumer websites are also spinning their wheels. Fewer related searches on Google and other major search engines has led to a decline in web traffic to major online resources.

Price is crossing 2.50/g out here in not so sunny So Cal. I wonder at what price suckers will stop buying 10 mpg monsters.