Hybrid Registrations Grew 38% in '07

April 21, 2008

U.S. registrations of new hybrid vehicles rose 38% in 2007 to a record 350,289, according to data to be released Monday by R.L. Polk & Co., a Southfield, Mich., automotive marketing and research company.
Hybrids made up 2.2% of the U.S. market share for the year, but they grew steadily even as overall sales declined 3%.
Lonnie Miller, director of industry analysis at Polk, said rising gas prices may affect some buyers, but aren't the main driver of hybrid sales.
Sales jumped in 2007 because buyers had more options, he said, including Nissan Motor Co.'s Altima, General Motors Corp.'s Saturn Aura and Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus LS600h hybrid sedans, as well as hybrid versions of GM's Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, and Mazda Motor Corp.'s Tribute sport-utility vehicles.