June hybrid sales . . . not so hot

Interesting Data. I wonder how many dealerships Toyota has vs Ford? I would guess Ford still has more. Ford has a dealership advantage which is built into those numbers. My feeling is they need a cheaper hybrid to compete with Prius.

I just checked google, and Ford had about 3900 dealerships in 2008. Toyota about 1400 in the North America and 400 in Japan. Not sure if the Ford numbers are U.S. or World. But Ford probably has at least twice as many dealerships as Toyota. And a big advantage in rural areas here. Honda is probably much lower than Toyota. Smaller company.

The other observation concerns the Insight, which as I suspected is outselling the Civic hybrid 3/1 and is doing quite well as #3. The Insight has been getting lousy media lately, and it's not justified from my experiences with the one my wife owns. It is also the cheapest hybrid at $18.5K base-discounted. It's sales are very good, and should be encouraging to Honda.

With respect to gas prices, just figure out what people who own big SUVs are paying in gas per month driving 1K miles and getting 10-15 mpg. At 15 mpg, they're paying $175 per month. That's a big chunk of cash feeding Saudi Arabia et al every month.A good part of our trade imbalance. Not to mention all that carbon pollution.

 

The Fusion is #2 in your table.

 

The Lexus RXh has always sold very well around 1500 or so units a month. Here is how ALL mid size SUV sales stack up. Notice the 450h by itself outsells many of them.

Mid Ute
RX-7,796 (350 and 450)
Enclave-4,561
MDX-3,847
SRX-3,804
X5-3,273
M class-2,124
MKX-1,306
Lexus RX450h 1,304
GX-1,120
XC90-926
X6-695
FX-678
Cayenne-496
Toureg-309
ZDX-265

 

Interesting info. I don't have the time right now, but it almost looks like it's sorted by MPG. I'm sure there's some variation based on vehicle price and possibly difference between that model and it's non-hybrid version (why buy it if only gets 2mpg better than the old-fashioned gas-only version with more trunk space).

According to this, the Malibu is discontinued except for some fleet sales, and possibly the Aura and Vue as well.

 

Looking at the original data, the numbers for the month of June compare to the previous month and to June last year are not good. But the cumulative year-to-date (cytd) for 2010 is up compared to 2009. Although it's also up even more for standard cars, so apparently hybrids are losing some market share, now at 2.3% of all car sales.

 

Cheaper, a hatchback, and better mileage than the Fusion and I, and I bet others will look at it.

 

Ford does not want to compete directly with the prius. They are going to surround it with the new focus which will roll out with ev, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variations. Mercury did not sell many hybrids and ford will be killing the division, but rolling out the Lincoln version of the fusion with more luxury that will compete with the Lexus hs. I doubt dealerships are making much of a difference, but he Camry hybrid is an older design and needs to be reworked to compete with the fusion.

I think the fit will be a more successful hybrid than the insight. Only time will tell.

 

I agree. I don't know why Honda just didn't hybridize the Fit. Maybe they didn't want to cut into the Fit sales--it's been a success. The Fit is the only other car my wife considered. It's roomier inside, but has straight auto or manual (if you can find one)--no CVT. It was about $3K cheaper. I suggested a hybrid would have better resale in a few years when the market changes.Also, she wanted a manual, and that kills resale. And gas mileage is about 30% better with the Insight.
Honda is coming out with a manual/auto CRZ hybrid--like a 3dr Insight--with more power but lower mpg--in the 30s.

 

The hybrid fit is coming out. No date yet in America, but this year in japan and $2000 more than a standard fit.
Honda Fit Hybrid - Review | Hybrid Cars

I like the idea of the cr-z, but doubt honda put enough power into it.

 

Bit off topic, but I called Toyota about a 2009 Prius hybrid battery warranty after the (CA) warranty, 10 years runs out ...

1 year warranty on replacement battery.

Hmmmmm. So, say at 12 years, battery goes out. Replace the Toyota way for $3.x k. Car's in great shape, ready to go for another 10 years or more, BUT, the new hybrid battery has a 1 year warranty ...

ewwww.

Any other discussions on this?

 

we love our 08 hycam. smooth, quiet, roomy and 38 - 45 mpg. i can't imagine what the fusion has over it, i'll have to test drive one i guess.

 

July gas prices ... not so low.

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