Mar. 07 hybrid and fuel efficient non-hybrid sales - Like riding a rocket

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Hybrid sales totals are increasing year over year as expected.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG.com - April. 3, 2007

The 2007 Prius Touring Edition provides a more spirited driving response due to its European-tuned suspension and 16-inch alloy wheels. The Touring Edition is distinguished externally by the new wheels, a larger rear spoiler, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and integrated fog lamps standard.

Hybrids are increasing overall market share by comparison to last year as gasoline prices rise yet again. The Toyota Prius posted all-time best-ever sales of 19,156 for the month of March, an increase of 133 percent over March 2006 on a DSR (Daily Selling Rate) basis. The Toyota Camry Hybrid and Highlander hybrid reported sales of 5,144 and 2,501 units respectively. The Honda Civic Hybrid had a 21.5% increase in sales for the month vs. March 2006. The Lexus RX 400h hybrid reported sales of 1,471 units for the month, down 42.6%. Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid sales combined appear to be accelerating with a 53.0% increase vs. Mar. of 2006. Honda Accord Hybrid sales have fallen to the point they may not be available for purchase in the not-to-distant future.

For the fuel efficient non-hybrid automobiles, the Corolla continues to lead all sales with a 4.4% increase in the Mar. 07 sales period vs. Mar. of 06. Honda Civic sales fell 1.1% in the same comparison period. The Toyota Yaris had a large increase of 448.3% but Mar. 06 was the first month in which it was available last year.

Overall sales YTD (year to date) of the “Big 7” listed below showed an increase of 54.3% vs. the year ago period. So much for the “Hybrid’s will never sell” naysayer’s.

March 2007 Hybrid sales summary:

		Month to Date			Year to Date
Make and Model	March 2007	March 2006	DSR* % Change	March 2007	March 2006	DSR* % Change
Toyota Prius	19,156	7,922	+133.2	39,682	22,123	+74.7
Toyota Camry Hybrid	5,144	NA	NA	11,277	NA	NA
Honda Civic Hybrid	2,813	2,232	+21.5%	6,520	7,177	-11.5%
Toyota Highlander Hybrid	2,501	2,987	-19.3%	6,203	7,881	-24.1%
Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid	2,523	1,590	+53.0%	5,457	3,829	+37.4%
Lexus RX400h	1,471	2,470	-42.6%	3,965	5,750	-33.5%
Honda Accord Hybrid	385	581	-36.1%	945	1,715	-46.9%

March 2007 fuel efficient Non-hybrid sales summary:

		Month to Date			Year to Date
Make and Model	March007	March 2006	DSR* % Change	March 2007	March 2006	DSR* % Change
Toyota Corolla	34,355	32,312	+2.5	88,195	82,287	+4.4
Honda Civic	29,721	28,969	-1.1	68,140	78,479	-15.4
Toyota Yaris	7,614	1,339	+448.3	19,123	1,339	+1,291.1

DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 28 selling days for the Mar. 07 sales month and 27 for Mar. 06. There were 77 selling days for the year through Mar. 07 vs. 75 through Mar. of 2006.
NA: Not Applicable.

What would the Toyota Highlander Hybrid sales be if they had used the same drivetrain as the Toyota Camry Hybrid? Sales of performance hybrids have proved to be dismal at best.