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Nationwide registrations for new hybrid vehicles climbed to 83,153 in 2004, which is an 81-percent jump over 2003, according to R. L. Polk & Co.

Leading the way with 64-percent market share is the Toyota Prius. Polk reported that 53,761 new Prius vehicle registrations occurred in 2004, a 33-percent increase from 2003. Meanwhile, Honda had 25,586 hybrid registrations in 2004, posting a 31 percent market share.

Since the introduction of hybrid vehicles in 2000, Polk executives said the market has grown by more than 960 percent.

"Expectations of continuing high gas prices, combined with the introduction of new models to the consumer market, have heightened interest in hybrid vehicles," said Lonnie Miller, director of Polk's Analytical Solutions.

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