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Besides Toyota’s Prius selling at fast clip, the Camry Hybrid is showing renewed life. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/in-the-news/t-oct-hybrid-and-fuel-efficient-non-hybrid-sales-hch-ii-sales-are-mediocre-7109.html#post52578)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_TCH1.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (www.CleanMPG.com) – Nov. 1, 2007

The 2008 Camry Hybrid – an exceptional combination of low emissions (AT-PZEV) and high fuel economy (33 mpg city/34 mpg highway) per the 08 EPA estimates, this roomy and comfortable mid-sized sedan is making consumers take notice.

The Toyota Prius hybrid posted yet another increase in monthly sales with a jump of 44.9% over Oct. of 2006. In fact, the 2007 sales projection of 150,000 units Toyota had hoped to meet this year has already been surpassed and there is a very real possibility of 175,000 sales by years end.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid reported sales of 3,511 units, up 20.3% from the year ago sales period.

The HCH-II is just holding its own with a falloff for the month of 3.9% and a falloff for the year at 2.3%.

The new 08 HiHy sold just 596 units, down 65.1% while the Lexus RX 400h hybrid sales were reported at 1,392 units for the month, up 8% vs. the year ago sales period.

Honda Accord Hybrid sales are still dropping off as dealership inventories continue to dwindle. 243 units were sold during the month of October.

For the fuel efficient non-hybrid automobiles, the Corolla again leads all sales with 25,815 units -- a slight increase of 0.7% compared to the same period a year ago. For the year, sales are still off 4.4% vs. 2006.

In contrast to the Honda Civic Hybrid, the standard Civic saw monthly sales of 23,809 units -- an increase of 7.3% over the same period in 06.

The Toyota Yaris subcompact posted October sales totaling 5,409, a decrease of 18.1% from the same period a year ago.

Overall sales YTD (year to date) of the “Big 7” Hybrids showed an increase of 20.7% vs. the year ago January through October sales period. The FEH/MMH individual sales data has yet to be released so it was not included in the calculation. The Prius-II made up the bulk of that increase with its own 66.9% increase YTD.

Oct. 2007 Hybrid sales summary:

||Month to Date|||Year to Date|
Make and Model|Oct. 2007|Oct. 2006|DSR* % Change|Oct. 2007|Oct. 2006|DSR* % Change
Toyota Prius|13,158|8,733|+ 44.9%|150,272|89,672|+ 66.9%
Toyota Camry Hybrid|3,511|2,806|+20.3%|44,390|24,236|+82.4%
Honda Civic Hybrid|2,286|2,288|-3.9%|26,114|26,635|-2.3%
Ford Escape/Mariner Mariner Hybrid|2,084|1,602|+25.1|20,619|19,871|+3.4%
Toyota Highlander Hybrid|596|1,643|-65.1%|16,684|27,464|-39.5%
Lexus RX400h|1,392|1,239|+8.0%|13,585|16,853|-19.7%
Honda Accord Hybrid|243|287|-18.6%|3,051|4,924|-38.3%

Oct. 2007 fuel efficient Non-hybrid sales summary:

||Month to Date|||Year to Date|
Make and Model|Oct. 2007|Oct. 2006|DSR* % Change|Oct. 2007|Oct. 2006|DSR* % Change
Toyota Corolla|25,815|24,642|+0.7%|317,796|330,995|-4.4%
Honda Civic|23,809|21,343|+7.3%|278,764|272,886|+1.8%
Toyota Yaris|5,409|6,398|-18.7%|73,874|58,146|+26.6%

DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 25 selling days in Oct. 2006 vs. 26 for 2007 sales months
and 256 selling days for the year through Oct. 2007, 1 more than through Oct. of 2006.

Not too surprising; I still cannot figure out why anyone would choose the Civic Hybrid over the Prius even with the slight price difference and "better" styling. Hybrid buyers continuously prove ultimate MPG trumps all. I hope the automakers are getting the message and shift their focus to providing inexpensive, max FE options. Honda's dedicated hybrid better "bring it" if it hopes to compete with the next generation Prius.

Re: Prius vs HCH

HCH - Better handling, same if not greater highway mileage, slight price differential? (about $4000 with same options), tax credit still in effect, better visibility, more conventional dashboard, more available in some markets, better dealers in some markets.

If someone is doing mostly highway miles and doesn't need/want a hatch, I can't imagine why anyone would buy a Prius.

My lifetime MPG is 53. Over at Greenhybrid the Prius does 48 and the HCH does 47 - owner averages. Now I will concede absolutely without a doubt - the Prius does better in dense low speed city traffic or bad traffic - which lots of people have to deal with. Here in NC - it is 80% steady 60-70 mph.

I've got nothing against the Prius, and my g/f will probably get one when her car dies, but I just enjoyed driving the Civic Hybrid more. The tax credit helped too!

The Camry Hybrid sales are definitely impressive, though. Well played, Toyota.

That's funny, I can't figure out why anyone would choose a Prius over an HCHII.

From my perspective each car has its strengths -- if your normal routes can play on the strengths of one vs. the other more effectively, that car could be a better choice for you.

Until recently I've had a majority of highway work so I always thought that given the choice I should go with the Civic. That has now changed so I think the pendulum has possibly swung in favor of the Prius...

My real preference would be a vehicle that does exceptionally well both in the city AND on the highway, but I've not seen one yet that can match that description (other than the near magical iCDTi Civic Wayne reviewed).

Either way, you've made a good choice in vehicle when compared to nearly everything else on the market... and I would be thrilled to accept the gift of either one!!!

Is anyone offering? ;)

Meanwhile, I'll do my best to catch up with you guys in what I have for the next 2 years or so. That's the beauty of hypermiling. :D

One reason I chose the Prius was because I already had two conventional Civics! That, and I couldn't find a hybrid Civic in my area. And I got used to the fold-down rear seats in my Civics, and didn't want to give up that feature.

Harry

When choosing a hybrid in Jan '06, the issue was sheer availability. I pretty much had to go with the HCH-II -- no Pri's available at dealers then, or with huge markups. But I didn't care for the Pri much anyway as I didn't like the rear window visibility and since I'm a fuddydud, I wanted a trunk.

Since I drive mostly highway, the HCH-II worked out better anyhow.

I do not believe Honda produces enough HCH 2 models to even try to compete agaist the Prius or the Camry for that matter. Not sure they could compete even if they sent enough over! I think they need something better than the Prius, in order to do that? H

Debating HCH vs.Prius isn't going to get us very far. The choice is so incredibly subjective that you can't possible come out with a clear "winner." I do agree that Honda hasn't built enough Civics, though. In december '06 the number I could find to test drive was 0. I do love my hatchback, though...

I know people will completely disagree with me…and not trying to bash the Honda ether; but I honestly think more people prefer the Prius because it stands out as a Hybrid. When looking at a Honda Civic hybrid, you just see a Honda civic next to million. There isn't anything different about it's appearance except for the rims and the hybrid badge. Most people don't look closely to see if it's a normal Civic or Hybrid. They see a Civic.

Have you seen the commercials where he or she makes a statement “You are what you drive.” Which is pure B.S. IMO. Sadly most people have been brainwashed into believing that by the automakers. People want to show who they are by what they drive.

Mazda3 up 28.3% :-) Not the highest FE but glad to see that even though it is 4 years old people see the value.

These Canadian sales numbers are interesting:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/071102-1.htm

What's up with Smart? ouch. Seems like everyone who wanted one has one already.