http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/0...ber-sales.aspx

The year 2008 saw a 40% drop in Prius sales in May when Toyota ran out of inventory. Going into September, there were waiting lists that had by December evaporated. The December numbers look pretty grim.

There is a new model, a 3d generation Prius, coming out sometime this year but we won't have specifications for a week. The buzz indicates it may have significantly improved capabilities and efficiency. But the days of great growth have bursts with the recession.

Bob Wilson

 

I think sales will pick up for hybrids come April into May. The major metro areas will continue to have bumper to bumper traffic and the appeal of a big engine and high performance is not very usable. In the DC area, I still see plenty of new hybrids on the road. I drive 48 miles to work one way, average about 45mpg and my commute time average is 1 hour 15 minutes. 6 miles of my commute each way is not on the highway and accounts for 15 minutes on average each way of my total commute. I'm waiting with baited breath to see all the new hybrids, especially the Ford Fusion!