xcel
10-11-2006, 11:45 AM
Apart from the Prius, sales of "all other hybrid models are far lower and annualized over 12 months will likely remain below 15,000 units per year," (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061011/bs_nm/autos_hybrids_audi_dc_1)
Reuters - Oct. 10, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Prius_III.jpg
Toyota Prius dominates the U.S. hybrid market, constituting roughly half of all new hybrids registered.
AACHEN, Germany (Reuters) - Carmaker Audi (NSUG.DE) said the success of hybrid vehicles, which shave around a quarter from fuel costs, hinged on faster U.S. sales growth, even though high prices at the pump mean they are enjoying rising demand.
"The future market development has only limited predictability so any decision (on hybrid models) is tainted with uncertainties," Marius Lehna, project manager for the hybrid Audi Q7 sport utility vehicle, told automotive engineers attending the Aachen Colloquium industry congress on Wednesday.
Around 70 percent of the some 283,000 hybrid vehicles sold worldwide go to buyers in the United States, compared with 21 percent in Japan and just 8 percent in western Europe, he said.
Global sales of hybrids cars - which combine an electric motor and battery with a combustion engine - have risen from around 25,000 in 2000 and 75,000 in 2003.
Still, the share of hybrids in the United States - by far the world's largest car market with around 16 million to 17 million cars sold every year - remains negligible at just 1.2 percent of all newly registered vehicles, according to Lehna.
"If the market in the USA does not grow significantly faster than it has until now, one should assume that the volumes per model will remain low. This would then mean that it could become increasingly difficult to manufacture and sell hybrids in commercially sensible volumes," the Audi engineer said.
One of the core problems facing hybrids is the complexity of integrating two powertrains in one vehicle, leading to costs that he said cannot be fully passed on to customers.
The Toyota Prius dominates the U.S. hybrid market, constituting roughly half of all new hybrids registered, while hybrid models like the Ford Escape; the Honda Civic, Accord or Insight; and even Toyota's own Highlander and Lexus RX400h lead a peripheral existence.
Apart from the Prius, sales of "all other hybrid models are far lower and annualized over 12 months will likely remain below 15,000 units per year," Lehna said.
Part of the problem, he suggested, is that mainly people in their mid- to late-50s with above-average education and incomes above $100,000 per year seem to be attracted to hybrids.
"It is by no means the young, dynamic consumers that buy a hybrid vehicle but rather an intellectual upper class," he said.
Audi and parent Volkswagen are developing hybrid technology with German sportscar maker Porsche.
VW's premium unit aims to roll out a its Q7 hybrid in the U.S. in 2008.
Reuters - Oct. 10, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Prius_III.jpg
Toyota Prius dominates the U.S. hybrid market, constituting roughly half of all new hybrids registered.
AACHEN, Germany (Reuters) - Carmaker Audi (NSUG.DE) said the success of hybrid vehicles, which shave around a quarter from fuel costs, hinged on faster U.S. sales growth, even though high prices at the pump mean they are enjoying rising demand.
"The future market development has only limited predictability so any decision (on hybrid models) is tainted with uncertainties," Marius Lehna, project manager for the hybrid Audi Q7 sport utility vehicle, told automotive engineers attending the Aachen Colloquium industry congress on Wednesday.
Around 70 percent of the some 283,000 hybrid vehicles sold worldwide go to buyers in the United States, compared with 21 percent in Japan and just 8 percent in western Europe, he said.
Global sales of hybrids cars - which combine an electric motor and battery with a combustion engine - have risen from around 25,000 in 2000 and 75,000 in 2003.
Still, the share of hybrids in the United States - by far the world's largest car market with around 16 million to 17 million cars sold every year - remains negligible at just 1.2 percent of all newly registered vehicles, according to Lehna.
"If the market in the USA does not grow significantly faster than it has until now, one should assume that the volumes per model will remain low. This would then mean that it could become increasingly difficult to manufacture and sell hybrids in commercially sensible volumes," the Audi engineer said.
One of the core problems facing hybrids is the complexity of integrating two powertrains in one vehicle, leading to costs that he said cannot be fully passed on to customers.
The Toyota Prius dominates the U.S. hybrid market, constituting roughly half of all new hybrids registered, while hybrid models like the Ford Escape; the Honda Civic, Accord or Insight; and even Toyota's own Highlander and Lexus RX400h lead a peripheral existence.
Apart from the Prius, sales of "all other hybrid models are far lower and annualized over 12 months will likely remain below 15,000 units per year," Lehna said.
Part of the problem, he suggested, is that mainly people in their mid- to late-50s with above-average education and incomes above $100,000 per year seem to be attracted to hybrids.
"It is by no means the young, dynamic consumers that buy a hybrid vehicle but rather an intellectual upper class," he said.
Audi and parent Volkswagen are developing hybrid technology with German sportscar maker Porsche.
VW's premium unit aims to roll out a its Q7 hybrid in the U.S. in 2008.