Great news for hybrid cars, as reported US sales of the vehicles leapt by 21 per cent year on year in November 2009 to 20,003 units.
Even though overall light duty vehicle sales were generally flat for the month, according to figures from Autodata, reported hybrid sales increased to now represent 2.7 per cent of the new vehicle market – up from 2.2 per cent in the same month last year. Indeed for the first 11 months of the year, hybrids have held a 2.8 per cent light duty vehicle market share. Here is how each manufacturer faired:
Ford – Impressive results for Ford, which finished behind only Toyota in the hybrid tally with 2,361 models sold – an increase of 73.5 per cent compared to the previous year. The Escape/Mariner hybrids sold 960 units, down 30 per cent year on year; but the new Fusion/Milan sold 1,401 units and represented 8.7 per cent of total Fusion/Milan sales.
General Motors – The company reported a total of 1,020 hybrid vehicle sales, which is down 25.5 per cent compared to the previous year. The two-mode Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade models were down 36 per cent to 489 units; while the two-mode Sierra and Silverado pick-ups dropped 52 per cent to 156 units. Sales of the Saturn VUE hybrid also declined by 31 per cent to 134 units; while the Saturn Aura saw its hybrid sales drop by 17 per cent to 29 units. Only the Malibu mild hybrid showed any positive numbers with 212 units sold – an increase of 371 per cent.
Honda – The Japanese manufacturer sold a total of 1,646 hybrids in the US during the month – an increase of 57.8 per cent. Sales of the Civic Hybrid fell sharply by 77 per cent to 243 units; but the new Honda Insight Hybrid sold 1,403 units.
Nissan – With only the Nissan Altima Hybrid available in the US, the company sold 503 units during the month, up 42.5 per cent compared to the previous year.
Toyota – Remaining the hybrid car leader, Toyota sold 14,473 hybrids during the month – up 16.3 per cent compared to the previous year. The Prius sold 9,617 units, up 11 per cent; while the Camry Hybrid sold 1,465 units, down 33 per cent; and the Highlander Hybrid sold 722 units, down 20 per cent. Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus also faired well – the new Lexus HS250 posted 1,407 units; the RX Hybrid sold 1,210 units – almost double its figure in 2008; the GS Hybrid sold 37 units, down 11.9 per cent; and the LS Hybrid sold 15 units, down 60 per cent.
