GasBuddy Blog

GasBuddy News Article

votes

Hybrid and electric cars see record sales in March as gas prices rise, new models arrive

The Washington Post -- Americans are buying record numbers of hybrid and electric cars as gas prices climb and new models arrive in showrooms, giving the vehicles their greatest share yet of the U.S. auto market.

Consumers bought a record 52,000 gas-electric hybrids and all-electric cars in March, up from 34,000 during the same month last year.

The two categories combined made up 3.64 percent of total U.S. sales, their highest monthly market share ever, according to Ward’s AutoInfoBank. The previous high was 3.56 percent in July 2009, when the Cash for Clunkers program encouraged people to trade in old gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient cars.

And while their share of the market remains small, it’s a big leap from the start of the year, when hybrids and electrics made up 2.38 percent of new car sales.

Read the Full Article

Submitted Apr 14, 2012 By: ziyulu

Back To News

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics	Add to favorite topics

Author	Topic: Hybrid and electric cars see record sales in March as gas prices rise, new models arrive	Post a Reply Back to Topics

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First Prev

Next Last

MJIOWA Champion Author Iowa Posts:4,818 Points:1,076,970 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:58:39 PM Ignore MJIOWA Report Abuse not for me
EmperorsFinest Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,564 Points:340,870 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:57:57 PM Ignore EmperorsFinest Report Abuse Now add a high gas tax.
CTarp Champion Author Texas Posts:1,234 Points:607,105 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:56:16 PM Ignore CTarp Report Abuse This seems like the topic of the day.
sramroop Champion Author Birmingham Posts:3,312 Points:738,880 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:54:35 PM Ignore sramroop Report Abuse Expected
Red7002011 Champion Author Mississippi Posts:3,327 Points:667,745 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:53:54 PM Ignore Red7002011 Report Abuse Really!
USAv8tor Veteran Author Long Island Posts:348 Points:138,665 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:48:30 PM Ignore USAv8tor Report Abuse If the car manufacturers gave me a free hybrid vehicle, I would start to have the savings immediately. Can't afford to spend $25,000 for a new technology hybrid vehicle at the moment, only to see the savings in a few years. By then, newer, more efficient vehicles would be available, probably for the same price.
AcuraTSX Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,489 Points:2,181,155 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:46:11 PM Ignore AcuraTSX Report Abuse EXcept for GM's Volt.
QualTekGuy Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,061 Points:732,875 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:45:56 PM Ignore QualTekGuy Report Abuse gptrk, you should've dumped the Saturn SUV and bought a KIA Optima. It's not a hybrid, so it costs you a lot less and on the open road, it will best your 33 MPG by getting almost 40 MPG.
caddilac Champion Author Ontario Posts:16,600 Points:2,139,480 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:45:02 PM Ignore caddilac Report Abuse Interesting.
luvmyburgi Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,825 Points:959,245 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:44:55 PM Ignore luvmyburgi Report Abuse That should not be a surprise.
123cowboy Champion Author Maine Posts:1,833 Points:403,570 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:44:00 PM Ignore 123cowboy Report Abuse 3.64%?????
balljars Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,113 Points:1,610,595 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:39:54 PM Ignore balljars Report Abuse Not for me yet.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:8,279 Points:1,674,375 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:37:49 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse A lot of people must have been getting raises or bonuses.
TopGunn Champion Author Baltimore Posts:9,181 Points:2,615,305 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:37:03 PM Ignore TopGunn Report Abuse Not for me.
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,889 Points:1,919,030 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:33:35 PM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse Need some local natural gas stations and in Illinois all over the state! If Chrysler sells a pick up truck in July that uses gasoline or natural gas don't they have to supply natural gas? I understand the dealer sells natural gas in St. Louis for their Honda Civic GX which gets up to 38 mpg.
Zeke33 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:5,573 Points:1,615,085 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:31:57 PM Ignore Zeke33 Report Abuse Prices are going to have to come down quite a bit before I will consider one. Most of the people that I have talked to who have bought one, did so because it will "help save the planet".
Tegger Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,118 Points:1,645,535 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:28:50 PM Ignore Tegger Report Abuse OK
ssect8 Champion Author Hartford Posts:7,989 Points:2,094,045 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:27:58 PM Ignore ssect8 Report Abuse Good for them, wonder what people will think when it comes time to replace their batteries.
tauro514 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,135 Points:1,800,115 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:26:17 PM Ignore tauro514 Report Abuse good.
honkerman Champion Author San Jose Posts:44,237 Points:2,396,120 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:26:13 PM Ignore honkerman Report Abuse They have to keep pumping and hyping that which is unsuccessful, uneconomical, unreliable, and / or unproven.
BuckyTJones Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,932 Points:967,950 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:23:02 PM Ignore BuckyTJones Report Abuse For the "Record" Not for me, yet.
chillyman3 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,355 Points:423,640 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:21:07 PM Ignore chillyman3 Report Abuse Why can't the Americans get a tax break our electric bills for plugging in our electric cars?
GreenLegend Champion Author Raleigh Posts:1,640 Points:398,385 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:20:40 PM Ignore GreenLegend Report Abuse Record for this segment ONLY. Still low sales due to cost, reliability, range and charge times.
srchr Champion Author San Jose Posts:7,249 Points:1,619,145 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:20:31 PM Ignore srchr Report Abuse 3.6 % is a record; not much market penetration
itsjustme719 All-Star Author Hamilton Posts:611 Points:598,450 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:20:28 PM Ignore itsjustme719 Report Abuse Just wait until they start needing repairs. All the money you save in gas goes to the purchase of the car and future repairs.
badspots Champion Author Houston Posts:2,079 Points:675,145 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:18:36 PM Ignore badspots Report Abuse Ok.
Rehorsehay All-Star Author California Posts:871 Points:45,925 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:16:50 PM Ignore Rehorsehay Report Abuse Can not afford it, in recovery maybe?
kelly1016 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,953 Points:352,940 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:16:09 PM Ignore kelly1016 Report Abuse I do not understand why hybrids still need subsidies to be afforsable. If they cannot be mass produced economically by now then maybe they have no role.
Holly123 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,197 Points:789,235 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:16:08 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse Some people just buy on a whim without any reasoning. Not me.
LostToo Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,392 Points:975,315 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:15:33 PM Ignore LostToo Report Abuse I wonder what these hybrids resale value will hold? I never buy a new car. Sooner or later these things will be on every used car lot.
mageetp Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,205 Points:625,735 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:14:09 PM Ignore mageetp Report Abuse No interest yet.
cutter1330 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:8,030 Points:1,693,140 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:06:35 PM Ignore cutter1330 Report Abuse Give me my tax dollars back from the subsidy and I wont give two hoots about it.
gptrk All-Star Author Detroit Posts:823 Points:812,350 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:06:14 PM Ignore gptrk Report Abuse We have two hybrids. The Prius has given as high as 53 MPG and the loaded down Saturn SUV hybrid has recorded over 33 MPG on cross country trips. Can't complain and whatever floats your boat, as they say.
rippinusoff Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,403 Points:1,487,775 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:02:40 PM Ignore rippinusoff Report Abuse ok
heysailor Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:9,582 Points:2,332,670 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:02:32 PM Ignore heysailor Report Abuse The ones doing the mooching are the ones driving the gas hogs who are pushing up gas prices for everyone else. They're demanding sacrifice from everyone else while not doing the same for themselves much less actually serving in a military that was ordered to fight war designed to secure our oil supplies (Iraq).
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,788 Points:2,374,025 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:00:27 PM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse & another in April I'm guessin'.
waynemustang Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,372 Points:1,664,810 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:00:02 PM Ignore waynemustang Report Abuse Drop the subsidies on these cars and sales will plummet. Greedy greenies need to pay for their own cars and quit mooching off of others.
mh44s Champion Author Madison Posts:4,384 Points:1,688,990 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:56:29 PM Ignore mh44s Report Abuse Hybrid cars would sell a lot more cars if they wee reasonably priced.
vincentV All-Star Author Toronto Posts:652 Points:137,305 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:56:13 PM Ignore vincentV Report Abuse OMG
SavinOnFuel Champion Author Gary Posts:1,966 Points:1,256,910 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:54:51 PM Ignore SavinOnFuel Report Abuse Interesting
waynemustang Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,372 Points:1,664,810 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:53:59 PM Ignore waynemustang Report Abuse Hybrid AND electric??? Hybrid is up but electric is up negligible. Electric doesn't count yet and is still a joke.
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,012 Points:2,469,945 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:53:55 PM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Guess that's a good sign but...NG's the way!
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,995 Points:2,345,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:53:37 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Hybrid and electric cars see record sales in March as gas prices rise, new models arrive? Inbred and EV's are too high priced for me. With the high price of purchasing a new EV or Inbred, I will drive my current vehicle into the ground before buying anything new, used, EV, Inbred, diesel, hydrogen, alternative fuel, very high MPG, concept or anything else. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost, if possible. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
q2 Champion Author Alberta Posts:2,029 Points:379,120 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:50:51 PM Ignore q2 Report Abuse Without the subsidies I wonder what the sells would be.
milespergallon Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,744 Points:1,908,360 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:48:44 PM Ignore milespergallon Report Abuse Just think what the sales would be if they had a REAL vehicle not using batteries but a reliable, efficient and cost effect like Natural Gas and Hydrogen Alternative Fuel Cell vehicles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nemoFL Champion Author Florida Posts:8,796 Points:1,609,300 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:47:38 PM Ignore nemoFL Report Abuse bring on the hydrogen
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,191 Points:2,371,370 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:47:09 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse let the price gouging begin
WBBNC Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:499 Points:488,640 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:47:07 PM Ignore WBBNC Report Abuse No gain in owning them.
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:13,677 Points:2,613,800 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:44:45 PM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse I too hope to see natural gas become more popular and available.
aarrrt Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,271 Points:1,651,570 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:41:52 PM Ignore aarrrt Report Abuse Popular subject today.
scrossi Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,879 Points:1,047,515 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:41:10 PM Ignore scrossi Report Abuse Probably preacherjohn.
Bhmf4 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,014 Points:1,232,820 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 1:41:06 PM Ignore Bhmf4 Report Abuse Natural gas is the way to go!