Increased Hybrid sales in January 2006

Honda and Toyota reported increased sales of hybrids in January 2006 as compared to January 2005. The number of Honda Civic hybrids increased from 1169 to 3165 (171% increase). The Insight sold 59 cars, as compared to 7 a year ago. The Toyota Prius maintained it's dominance in the hybrid market, selling 7654 units compared to 5566 (38%) last year.

Although sales were down on the Honda Accord, 805 to 351, Honda increased it's total number of hybrids sold from 1974 last January to 3516 this January.

Toyota Highland sales increased from December from 2198 to 2263. Meanwhile the Lexus RX 400h sales (1477) were down from December (2172), in a decrease of 32%.

Sales of hybrid cars have increased dramatically over the past two year. In January, 2004 4252 hybrid cars were sold. Only the Honda civic, Insight, and Toyota Prius were available at the time.

Sales figures on the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner (hybrids) not available as of yet.

Tags: hybrid, sales, toyota prius, toyota highlander, honda accord, honda civic, lexus rx 400h, ford escape, mercury mariner