New Study Predicts Rise in Hybrid Sales
Report says better battery technology and global oil consumption will drive growth of almost 20 percent.
A new report by analysts at TechNavio paints a “green” picture of the global growth for hybrid vehicles over the next few years, predicting a sales increase of almost 20 percent through 2015. In the Global Hybrid Car Market report, analysts point to increasing worldwide oil consumption and initiatives by governments “to create awareness and acceptance of hybrid cars” as driving the sales growth of hybrids, as well as car buyers' awareness that the vehicles create less pollution and reduce dependence on natural resources.
Taking into consideration the leading automakers in the industry -- Toyota, Honda, Ford, Nissan, General Motors and BMW -- the report says that the development of more efficient battery systems and their lower cost will reduce the price of these fuel-efficient alternatives to traditional gasoline vehicles. The report also predicts that the total cost of ownership for hybrid vehicles will be less than for gas-only vehicles by 2020, thanks to improved battery technology.
But the report also notes that the current high cost of hybrid vehicles “is acting as a barrier to the market growth.” While high gas prices and government incentives have helped to drive sales of some hybrids, the vehicles still usually come with a premium price tag. Plus, more automakers are now focusing on building high-mileage gasoline-powered vehicles -- even U.S. automakers that traditionally have ceded the segment to imports and focused instead on trucks and other large passenger vehicles -- which makes the break-even point for purchasing a hybrid even longer, in some cases.
Given that hybrid technology has matured, is a hybrid vehicle in your future -- or even on the list of your considerations?
I went from a Cadilac Escalade to a Ford Fusion Hybrid. Yea, I miss the Escalade, but I don't miss the frequent gas station visits. The Fusion is a classy car and at the end of the day I have more money in my pocket to spend here in the US and less money going over seas (gas)
to countries that don't like America.
Let's see. The USA has what - 5% of the worlds oil? So drill and use it up is smart? And don't forget - oil once burned is gone - so having it to create plastic and meds, etc. at least gets more expensive - and if it is gone - there are only so many old milk bottles and water bottles out there we can reprocess. And using a resource like say - the sun, or wind, or water - is dim witted because - it creates less polution? Or leaves us less likely to be the victim of oil price surges when major players like Libya go offline for a time? (oops - Libya was not a major player - and the p-rice of oil spiked anyway - but you may - or may not get my drift). But we can depend on the major producers - like our friends Iran, Nigeria, Venezuela, Russia, Saudi Arabia etc etc to have our back? They wouldn't screw us - now would they? Great plan.
By the way - I just leased a Volt last month. "Merican" car - getting the equivalent of 67 miles to the gallon right now. And don't tell anyone - but I made it up to 90 without knowing it the other day when passing a car on a two lane. I did not expect the pickup - will know better than to do that again. But hey - keep buying oil - its the right thing to do to assure American security and superiority in the world.
By the way - did you folks know that GM was developing the Volt before Obama was elected? And that George W. Bush signed into law those incentives that you are whining about? Probably not huh? Must be satisfying to be so right - right - about everything -
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