Check What Happens on Auto World Here…

A decade since the first Prius hit the market (in Japan) Toyota’s global sales of hybrid vehicles have now reached a landmark 1 million, highlighting the giant Japanese automaker’s lead in “green” technology that has changed the face of the auto industry.

In a statement released Thursday last week, Toyota says it has sold 577,311 gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles in the USA from mid-2000, when it launched the Prius here, through May. Toyota’s worldwide sales of gas-and-electric-powered vehicles totaled 1.047 million as of the end of May. Nearly 345,000 of those were sold in Japan.

Sales of Toyota hybrids have climbed from 18,000 in 1998 to 312,500 last year, the company said.

Demand for hybrids, which deliver superior mileage by switching between a gasoline engine and electric motor, has soared amid higher fuel prices and greater consumer concern about pollution and global warming.

Toyota’s dominance in the category has caused Detroit’s automakers to follow with their own versions and to depend less on lower-mileage SUVs as the main engine for their profits.

The Prius is the hands-down leader in the category, with a total of 757,600 units sold since its 1997 introduction in Japan. Toyota began selling the Prius in North America, Europe and other places in 2000. Last year, the model made up an amazing more than 40 percent of hybrid sales in the U.S.

The Prius, which gets 55 miles a gallon on combined city and highway driving conditions, has been enormously popular as a mid-size sedan, a best-selling vehicle category.

Although most automakers are now working on hybrids, Toyota has the advantage of almost 10 years of experience in selling the technology, as well as in using feedback from drivers to make improvements, rather than relying on information from labs.

Toyota believes hybrid technology is the way of the future. It offers several other hybrid models, including the hybrid Camry and hybrid Lexus models.

“Hybrids will play a key role throughout our lineup,” Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said. “That means all vehicle categories.”

The company also started domestic sales of its most expensive hybrid, the 15 million yen — or about $124,000 at current exchange rates — Lexus LS 600h, which is also equipped with top of the line Lexus parts like the Lexus oxygen sensor. It will be exported over the summer, according to Toyota.

Not all hybrids however, enjoy the fortune like Toyota. Earlier this week, Honda Motor Co. said it will discontinue the hybrid version of its Accord sedans, which sold poorly because it didn’t fit the customer demand profile of the smallest, least expensive hybrids with the highest gas mileage.

Meanwhile, hybrid sport-utility vehicles have struggled in sales compared to the Prius, partly because an SUV doesn’t have a green image to start with, according to analysts.

Sales of Toyota’s RX400h hybrid SUV, sold as the Harrier in Japan, have reached 85,000 worldwide since it was introduced in 2005. Another hybrid SUV, the Highlander, or Kluger in Japan, has sold 67,000 over the same period.

The Prius, by contrast, has sold 478,800 units since the start of 2005.

Among American automakers, Ford Motor Co. offers the hybrid Escape sport-utility vehicle and General Motors Corp. sells the hybrid Saturn Vue Green Line sport-utility vehicle and hybrid trucks.

New hybrids are also reportedly in the works for GM this year – the automaker has promised four: two-mode gas-electric systems in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon large sport utility vehicles, and hybrid systems for the Saturn Aura and new Chevrolet Malibu sedans.

The next innovation in hybrids is expected to come from a new type of battery, called the lithium-ion battery, which will be smaller and lighter than the nickel-metal hydride batteries Toyota now uses for its hybrids.

A major breakthrough is needed to switch to lithium-ion batteries, now widely used in laptops, to make them power cars.

Mitsuo Kinoshita, a senior Toyota executive, has reportedly told reporters that the Japanese automaker was still working on developing a lithium-ion battery system for the next-generation Prius.



By: Zeke Gervis

About the Author:

Floyd Dorrance asked:


Compare ALL Hybrid cars with each other before deciding.

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

For the past fout or five years, there has been much ado about Hybrid Cars and the many benefits they could offer. Their popularity has been compounded by the ever surging gas prices and the concern for the environment. It seems that Hybrid Cars are the solution to both. When you use a Hybrid car, you contribute less to the thickening air pollution, plus you save a lot of money since they require less fuel, plus there are numerous tax credits being given by many states.

For these reasons, hybrid cars have experienced a sharp increase in sales and more car manufacturers are joining the hybrid vehicle arena with their own versions. For those who are planning to buy a hybrid car, the choices are numerous, that’s why you have to compare hybrid cars with one another to see which one would go well with your needs.

Two of the top hybrid car manufacturers are the Japanese giant’s Toyota and Honda. They are credited with producing many innovations in the hybrid technology and their hybrid cars are the most acclaimed, most sought after and most awarded hybrid vehicles today.

Here we will compare the hybrid cars they are offering for 2007, these will include the Honda Accord Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus GS 450H, Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Toyota Prius.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about “hybrid car”. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Their fuel efficiency can be compared through their average consumption per mile in different situations, like; City Driving – where the traffic is constantly stopping, Highway Driving – where the engine can freely operate at maximum level and their combined average usage.

Miles Per Gallon – Average Miles Used Per gallon of Fuel

· Honda Accord Hybrid – 28 MPG (city), 35 MPG (Highway) and 31 MPG (Combined Average)

· Honda Civic – 49 MPG (city), 51 MPG (Highway) and 50 MPG (Combined Average)

· Lexus GS 450H – 25 MPG (city), 28 MPG (Highway) and 26 MPG (Combined Average)

· Toyota Camry Hybrid – 38 MPG (city), 40 MPG (Highway) and 39 MPG (Combined Average)

· Toyota Prius – 51 MPG (city), 60 MPG (Highway) and 55 MPG (Combined Average)

But before you just pick out the one with the highest MPG average, you still have to consider and compare a couple of aspects as well. This includes the fuel type. All of these vehicles use regular gasoline except for the Lexus which uses Premium Gasoline that is pricier.

Then you also have to compare the size class of each hybrid car and their engine size and liters. The Accord Hybrid is a midsize car with a 3 liter – 6 cylinder engine. The Civic Hybrid is a compact car with a 1.3 liter – 4 cylinder engine. The Lexus is another compact car with a 3.5 liter – 6 cylinder engine. The Camry Hybrid is a midsize sedan equipped with a 2.4 liter – 4 cylinder engine and the Toyota Prius is a compact car with a 1.5 liter – 4 cylinder engine. The more powerful the engine is, the more fuel will be consumed.

Considering this aspect and others is needed when comparing hybrid cars. You have to consider the differences. Before purchasing a hybrid car, compare first and do your research. Find one that would suit your needs and your personality best to get the perfect hybrid car for you.

That’s how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.