Us 2009 hybrid car sales figures totalled 292,528 units. The number represents a  6.6 per cent decrease on the 2008 figure of 313,486 units.Toyota continue to dominate the hybrid car market with a year end total, that includes the Camry, Prius and Highlander hybrids, of 174,406 units. Lexus division returned sales of 21,499  giving combined totals for TMS of 195,545 units compared with combined totals of 241,456 units for 2008.

Ford continue to make steady progress in the hybrid car market, and their sales of 33,927 units represents an increase of 72 per cent on their 2008 hybrid car sales of 19,712 units. General Motors continue to be a frustratingly slow mover. Despite the fact that they have a broad range of hybrid models, they contnue to lag behind in the hybrid car market in terms of market share. When one considers Nissan, with their one hybrid model the Altima selling 9,423 units in 2009, compared to 17,656 units for GM's six models, one wonders where GM is heading with their sustainable motoring strategy.

What can we expect in 2010 and beyond?

As we slowly move into economic revovery, and with oil prices predicted to rise as a result, we can only expect higher gas prices at the pumps. Hybrids historically do well in such circumstances. However, with all major manufacturers promising a broader range of hybrids (and other green motoring solutions) it is a safe bet that hybrids will increase their, approximate, 3 per cent overall car market share. More hybrid car models should also mean more competitive prices and suddenly hybrids will be more popular for reasons other than lower emmissions and higher mpg. Once hybrids can compete with non hybrids in terms of price range, the shift towards them may be enough to push hybrids towards a "double digit" share of the overall car market by 2014.

2009 US Hybrid Car Sales