Hybrid continues to sell but the growth is slow

Market research group R.L. Polk & Co. has said in a report that the sales of hybrid vehicles rose 28 percent in 2006. However, the growth in sales is slowing down now.

The report further said that Japanese automaker Toyota continues to dominate in this segment with their Prius model which alone accounted for almost 43 percent of new hybrid sales in 2006.

The report said that the U.S. consumers bought 254,545 hybrids in 2006. This is up from sales of 199,148 a year earlier.

These cars have become popular ever since the petrol prices started increasing in the country.

The research group added that the percentage growth for hybrid sales was the second slowest since 2000. Lonnie Miller, director of industry analysis for R.L. Polk added: “Automakers still have obstacles to overcome to prove the merit of owning a hybrid, including … debunking the myth that hybrids are only needed when gas prices rise.”

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