Polk Says 2011 Non-Dedicated Hybrid Model Sales Down 1.5% Versus 2010

With the notable exceptions of the Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, most of the hybrids on sale today are merely spin-offs of existing ICE models with gas / electric powertrains fitted; take the hybridized Chevy Tahoe, Toyota Camry and Honda Civic for instance.

According to automotive statistics website Polk online, in the first seven months of 2011, sales of non-dedicated hybrid models dipped 1.5% compared to last year. Analyst Tom Libby blames the sales slump on the lack of distinct styling; hybrid buyers want their cars to stand out from the crowd.

Of the 16 hybrid variants of standard car models that have been on sale since the start of 2010, only two – the Lexus GS sedan and GMC Yukon Denali SUV – saw an increase in sales this year.

The remainder – which includes the Ford Fusion, Lexus RX, Nissan Altima and GMC Sierra – all saw a slump of between 0.1 and 6.0 percent. Even the GS and Yukon Denali hybrids only saw increases of 1.7 and 0.8 percent respectively.

Hybrid sales only account for between 0.1 to 13.6 percent of these models’ hybrid sales. It does not bode well for the Obama government’s need to increase hybridization in U.S. fleet sales to reduce the U.S.’s reliance on foreign oil and CO2 emissions.

By Tristan Hankins

Story Sources: Polk Automotive

 

 

Read More

Optima beats Camry, Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted

The mid-size sedan battle rages on year after year. Perennial kings are dethroned while new challengers emerge boasting fresh styling and a bountiful list of standard features. Consumer Reportslaunches its June issue today, and the institute’s testers have put a host of family-minded four-doors powered by four-cylinder engines through a workout to determine which is the top dog. Ten vehicles were tested but, as Christopher Lambert will tell you, there can be only one.

As it has here at Autoblog Towers, Kia’s 2011 Optima draws big praise from the Consumer Reportscrew. In fact, the Korean squeezes out a higher rating than the Honda Accord. It may have only beat the Honda by one point, but this represents a significant win for Kia. The opinions of Consumer Reports are highly valued by a large number of car shoppers, and this victory ought to push the Optima further onto radar of the American car buying public. Interestingly, while the Optima earned a “Very Good” rating, it wasn’t the comparison’s overall winner, however, as the Nissan Altima (a perennial CR favorite) claimed the test’s top spot, neatly trumping the Honda and the best-selling Toyota Camry in the process.

One vehicle not fairing so well in the June issue of Consumer Reports? The 2011 Ford Explorer. Nineteen mid-size sport utility vehicles were rounded up for testing, and the Explorer wound up in 17th place – well behind the Toyota Highlander Hybrid – a dismal showing for the Blue Oval brand. If you don’t have an issue of CR in your mailbox, check out the official press release after the jump for more details.

Read More