| With the popularity that hybrid vehicles are | | | | and trucks. |
| enjoying in the media and with all the | | | | |
| attention they have been getting from | | | | Car buyers can afford to be choosy with the |
| environmentalist groups and advocates, one | | | | broad range of hybrid units being offered in |
| wonders how sales of these hybrid cars are | | | | the market today. Moreover, fuel-efficiency |
| going. Let us look at some secondary data | | | | and environmental friendliness features of |
| provided to get a glimpse at just how | | | | these hybrids are reaching new heights, |
| marketable these hybrid cars are. | | | | captivating a new kind of socially conscious |
| | | | and responsible breed of buyers. |
| As of the first quarter of 2007, data from | | | | |
| Forbes show that in the US alone, hybrids | | | | Prices are reasonable enough to guarantee a |
| garnered a combined sale of more than 17,000 | | | | following. Moreover, tax incentives and |
| units, a remarkable 10% increase from the | | | | breaks are given to buyers of these |
| same period in 2006. The demand is definitely | | | | eco-friendly hybrid units. Doing the math, |
| rising, and this demand is translating into | | | | the hybrid buyer is aware that he can easily |
| actual sales. Sale of hybrid vehicles | | | | recoup the few thousand dollars difference of |
| vis-Ã -vis the total number of light-duty | | | | a hybrid model over that of a conventional |
| vehicles sold also increased by as much as | | | | one, through reduced fuel consumption. |
| 1.4% compared to previous year levels. This | | | | |
| only means more and more buyers prefer | | | | And these hybrids come safe for the buyer and |
| hybrids to conventional-fuel models. | | | | his family, too. In addition to fuel |
| | | | efficiency, hybrid safety features are |
| Why the Rush to the Hybrid Section? | | | | bringing in more buyers. Open the windows and |
| | | | the low emissions of your hybrid ensure that |
| As fuel prices soar, more and more car buyers | | | | your kids are breathing fresher and cleaner |
| are prompted to go for hybrid cars. Since | | | | air inside and outside the hybrid van. |
| 2003, hybrid car-makers have been raking in | | | | Navigation and stability systems for the |
| profits from hybrid car sales. In 2004 in the | | | | hybrids are also a notch higher, adding to |
| US alone, hybrid car sales were almost 88,000 | | | | the safety factor more. A hybrid car buyer is |
| units. And with the increasing awareness | | | | assured of efficiency not only fuel-wise, but |
| about climate change and global warming, | | | | overall car performance-wise. |
| hybrid car sales are yet again expected to | | | | |
| surge. | | | | As buyers become more fuel-price conscious |
| | | | and more aware of climate change and the |
| With great expectations for hybrid car sales | | | | effects of greenhouse gases; as they realize |
| to reach record highs in 2007, carmakers are | | | | that safety is paramount, and begin to expect |
| rushing to put into the market new models, | | | | comfort and enjoyment from riding safe and |
| packed with all the environmental protection | | | | eco-friendly vehicles, hybrid car sales will |
| and fuel efficiency features that they could | | | | continue to rise. Car makers are thus |
| muster, not to mention the technological | | | | capitalizing on this trend and are coming up |
| come-ons. New models are also widening the | | | | with one innovative hybrid model after |
| array of offerings, from compact to mid-sized | | | | another. Every car dealer will surely have |
| sedans, to SUVs and minivans, even to pickups | | | | one hybrid in his stable. |