Hybrid Sales Down 33%

The folks at Washington DC Lexus should be happy with the recent news of their hybrid sales for July 2010 compared to last year's sales.  Lexus and Toyota combined represented 73.9% of the total hybrid sales in the United States.  This is great news, but the fact that hybrid sales only accounted for 2.27% of the entire sales and fell 33% compared to last year is not so great news.  While the economy is doing better and there was a 5% increase in vehicle sales compared to last year, Americans should be being more eco-conscious and paying a bit more for the hybrid models.  You already don't see many hybrid models at Cincinnati Used Car Auctions because their owners end up loving them so much they don't get traded in often, unless someone needs a different size for some reason.  Of course, Arizona VW Dealers are sitting pretty this month, as their total sales increased by 27% compared to last year's sales.  While it didn't itemize out their hybrid sales, VW does sell many hybrid or clean burning diesel engine vehicles. 

Other vehicles that did well include Honda and some of their hybrid models.  The Honda Civic Hybrid sold 617 cars and the brand new model Honda Insight sold an impressive 1,858 units!  Ford's hybrid line up did pretty well in total sales.  Ford and Mercury combined sold 2,986 hybrids for July 2010.  The Fusion sold 1,586 and the Escape sold 1,260!  People like the trusted reputation and quality you get from Ford products anymore.  The more costly Mercury Milan sold 90 units and the Mercury Mariner sold 100 units.  Toyota, as mentioned before, had the biggest piece of the hybrid pie this last month.  14,102 Prius models were sold and the Camry Hybrid sold 1,276.  Even the large Highlander Hybrid managed to move 575 units off the lots.  The new Lexus hybrid models are selling better than expected, with the RX450h selling 1,356 models! 

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Honda's Insight to the Green Market

Consumers are probably, at this point, equally tired of hearing about the Chevy Volt as they are anticipating its arrival at Cincinnati Chevy.  When it comes to the green auto industry news, we have heard every small step that the Volt has taken along the way.  While the Volt is exciting because of its electrical components, it is hard to ignore the tried and true green efforts, like hybrid and diesel engine options we can see at Peoria VW.  Even some of the newer model cars at Honda New Orleans are using alternative forms of fuel, like the 2010 Civic GX NGV, which runs off of compressed natural gas.

Brand new in the 2010 Honda line up was the Insight, a five passenger sedan.  There are three trim levels available, the LX, EX, and EX with Navigation.  The interesting thing about this model is that all three trims have the same engine.  Drivers can expect to get a mere 88 horsepower from their 1.3 liter four cylinder gas engine that is coupled with a nickel-metal hydride battery.  But, the electric motor components add 13 horsepower, but the max horsepower drivers get is 98.  But, when you are getting 43 mpg on the highway and 40 mpg around town, you aren't purchasing this car to beat people in a race! 

The LX trim has a starting MSRP of $19,800.  The Insight is a standard four door hatchback.  The base LX model comes with auto climate control, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power accessories, CD player with auxiliary jack, and the driver seat has a height adjustment feature.  The EX trim has a starting MSRP of $21,300, and this adds cruise control, USB port and iPod radio connections, intermittent wipers with variable speeds, 15 inch alloy wheels, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel.  Lastly, the EX with Navigation starts out at $23,100.  The nice thing about this optional trim level is that all the controls are voice operated and there is a Bluetooth connection ready. 

Honda Developing Plug-in Hybrid

Honda announced that they will be releasing several hybrid and possibly electric vehicle models. There are several Honda models that have been well designed and excellent models based on regular gasoline engines, but Honda is now looking to compete with Chevrolet who sells its hybrid models at a Chevrolet Rome Dealership. The new Honda mode will compete with models sold at a local Peoria Volkswagen Dealer which sells some of the most fuel efficient Volkswagen models available on the market. For those who are looking to buy a Chevy Volt, the Volt and other Chevy models will be able to be serviced at a Sarasota Chevrolet Service.

There will also be an all-electric vehicle released in the next 3 years. The hybrid will be a plug-in capable and be able to be recharged on a residential outlet. The plug-in hybrid will be able to get up to 37 miles on a liter of gas which will rival the Prius model in terms of fuel efficiency.

Honda is not known for its hybrid models and did not get into the hybrid vehicle market for several years, whereas Honda's competitors have entered the market sooner than the company. The model will first be released in the United States before being taken to other markets.

However, Honda will look to break into this market like many other automakers in the next 3 years with its new electric and hybrid model. The Honda Insight Hybrid was one of Honda's first hybrid models, and the company will expand into other markets with its latest release.

With so many hybrid models to choose from, time will tell whether or not Honda will be able to break into the market. However, with so many hybrid markets emerging throughout the world, it is likely that Honda and other companies will find hybrid models to be profitable.