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Hybrid and electric cars see record sales in March

Detroit News in the FresnoBee -- DETROIT -- Americans are buying record numbers of hybrid and electric cars as gas prices climb and new models arrive in showrooms, giving the vehicles their greatest share yet of the U.S. auto market.

Consumers bought a record 52,000 gas-electric hybrids and all-electric cars in March, up from 34,000 during the same month last year.

The two categories combined made up 3.64 percent of total U.S. sales, their highest monthly market share ever, according to Ward's AutoInfoBank. The previous high was 3.56 percent in July 2009, when the Cash for Clunkers program encouraged people to trade in old gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient cars.

And while their share of the market remains small, it's a big leap from the start of the year, when hybrids and electrics made up 2.38 percent of new car s

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Submitted Apr 14, 2012 By: NHLiveFree

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PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,089 Points:1,451,250 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Apr 15, 2012 6:26:26 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse Very impressive, dave27johnson. Hopefully, this trend will continue.
dave27johnson Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,790 Points:411,460 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 15, 2012 7:51:29 AM Ignore dave27johnson Report Abuse 52,000 in one month is impressive.
KAR120CSII Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,193 Points:623,645 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 2:31:05 PM Ignore KAR120CSII Report Abuse But last week the headline was -- current owners don't buy another.
db60 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:982 Points:211,255 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 8:46:59 AM Ignore db60 Report Abuse Would like to see how long this trend will last.
leraar2 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,779 Points:790,605 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 7:16:39 AM Ignore leraar2 Report Abuse the breakeven point is FOREVER. by the time you reach 10-12 years, you have to replace the battery! [Edited by: leraar2 at 4/14/2012 10:17:06 AM EST]
PlanoLogic Champion Author Texas Posts:1,748 Points:1,546,270 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 6:43:59 AM Ignore PlanoLogic Report Abuse And for DRIVINGFOOL2, how often do you trade your vehicle and what is the out of pocket?
gs7101 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,538 Points:389,345 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 5:40:23 AM Ignore gs7101 Report Abuse Let's see if this trend will continue -- I doubt it!
REBELFAN39 Veteran Author Jackson Posts:357 Points:451,515 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 5:11:30 AM Ignore REBELFAN39 Report Abuse Question for DRIVINGFOOL2,how much do you pay for full coverage insurance and what is the cost for tags on your new Prius?
jcotaxi Champion Author South Bend Posts:1,775 Points:363,005 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 5:00:30 AM Ignore jcotaxi Report Abuse Trere's nothing "smarter" about buying something the gevernment is pushing. Before you know it, we'll all be pushing our buggies down the street while buying shoes like crazy.
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,179 Points:1,301,145 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 3:56:53 AM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse ah, cash for clunkers ... when we got rid of those used cars poor people depend on.
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,017 Points:1,744,760 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 3:41:49 AM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse suck it up! Im going to Pa today with my Hb... wanna cruise?? gotta get smarter.
trinda1 Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,011 Points:544,795 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:59:43 AM Ignore trinda1 Report Abuse H
Tomeboy Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,784 Points:562,590 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:46:32 AM Ignore Tomeboy Report Abuse For others it's envy and or jealousy.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,940 Points:3,107,475 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:41:05 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse good, if you can afford one, go for it.
MadTraveler Champion Author Idaho Posts:2,082 Points:572,100 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:36:54 AM Ignore MadTraveler Report Abuse So who is able to afford them? Oh - government employees.
Blismo Champion Author Arizona Posts:2,154 Points:407,160 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:35:35 AM Ignore Blismo Report Abuse still too expensive
nztyraider Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,273 Points:696,325 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:30:15 AM Ignore nztyraider Report Abuse Obama's rich friends buying these expensive vehicles.
DrivingFool2 Champion Author Appleton Posts:8,602 Points:1,608,790 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:26:55 AM Ignore DrivingFool2 Report Abuse I put on approximately 30,000 miles a year. My old car got 13mpg but for ease of calculation lets say it got even better mileage of 15mpg. That said it means I used 2,000 gallons of gas a year to go that far. With gas at $3 a gallon (I know, it's above four at many places already) that means I paid out $6,000 a year in fuel. With my Prius I get 54mpg but for ease lets just say it gets 50. That means I use just 600 gallons to go the same distance. At $3 a gallon, that is just $1,800 a year for fuel. Since my car payments are $300 a month, ($3,600 a year) what I save in gas ($6,000 minus $1,800 equals $4,200 dollars) not only makes my car payments but also leaves me $600 dollars in my pocket. It is almost paying me to own a new car. (And that is figuring gas at $3 a gallon, not at $4 where it is now) At $4 a gallon, the savings would be $5,600 dollars a year. I laugh all the way to the bank.
Scoutca All-Star Author Orange County Posts:525 Points:1,588,160 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:25:38 AM Ignore Scoutca Report Abuse Still a little pricey for most of us. Takes a long time to recoup the original cost. 40-60 MPG is good I think 75-100 MPG is great!! Lets see if technology can get with the program and get us some significant MPG figures in the not too distant future!!
amteb All-Star Author Toledo Posts:513 Points:102,865 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:23:57 AM Ignore amteb Report Abuse spending money either way
silverfox63 Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,130 Points:1,613,665 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:19:47 AM Ignore silverfox63 Report Abuse The prices for this cars are not justified. You can never get your monies worth before they wear out.
DrivingFool2 Champion Author Appleton Posts:8,602 Points:1,608,790 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:15:39 AM Ignore DrivingFool2 Report Abuse Have owned two hybrids and my next car definitely will also be a hybrid. As for electrics, they need to get their range up to at least 300 miles or else they will not be anything more than a grocery getter
lgwhitlock Champion Author Chico Posts:7,400 Points:1,688,420 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:15:27 AM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse Not for me. I don't want a battery electric or hybrid. Hydrogen fuel cells or CNG seem the way of the future to replace gas engines in the long run...
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,090 Points:2,348,435 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:14:00 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Hybrid and electric car see record sales in March? Inbred and EV's are too high priced for me. With the high price of purchasing a new EV or Inbred, I will drive my current vehicle into the ground before buying anything new, used, EV, Inbred, very high MPG, concept or anything else. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost, if possible. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
KhelbenArunson Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,461 Points:720,790 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:13:15 AM Ignore KhelbenArunson Report Abuse Watch what happens when MPG skyrockets and car prices drop dramatically.
passin_gas2011 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:750 Points:143,170 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:10:22 AM Ignore passin_gas2011 Report Abuse well,,maybe with less demand= lower gas prices
wang91554 Champion Author San Jose Posts:3,185 Points:1,204,730 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:10:13 AM Ignore wang91554 Report Abuse fickle consumers
1stClicker Champion Author Texas Posts:5,331 Points:2,246,470 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:09:37 AM Ignore 1stClicker Report Abuse Yet another report said that EVs and hybrids not doing well. This appears to be an advertisement for them.
Gasazhunter Champion Author Phoenix Posts:4,225 Points:1,030,645 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:07:33 AM Ignore Gasazhunter Report Abuse Wonder why.
Jeannemarie Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:27,700 Points:2,035,640 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:05:44 AM Ignore Jeannemarie Report Abuse There is some confusion among the non-hybrid owners I can see. First of all we have a 2006 Prius which gets 45-55 mpg in the city and around 60 on the highway. It is not a plug-in, it runs on a combination of a very compact gasoline 4 cylinder motor and a powerful battery array which is why the rear end is sort of uptilted. There are cab companies here in Las Vegas (where batteries go to die as our heat is hard on them) that are on 400K miles with the original battery packs and original starter batteries intact. They are delighted with the performance. Today the Clark County School District Attendance officer drove up in her Prius - 1999 - bought as a fleet vehicle by the school district with the original batteries all intact, it has had to have new tires and new windshield wipers (we get those every year as the heat dries the wiper blades out) has 780,000 miles on the odo and she says she has driven those everywhere. She maintains it is the best thing the district ever did in equipment purchase. So we purred about the Prius. She bought one of her own last year, hot red and loves it as well. If I were in the market for a new car, which I am not as this appears to be going to last the rest of my life, I would run to the dealer and snatch up a new so fast you wouldn't know it happened. So much for owners not liking or appreciating them. They are very low maintenance and quite reasonable in every thing but the original purchase price, however, that is going down. So why are you still hesitant????
Steady325 Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,593 Points:1,462,010 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 12:04:05 AM Ignore Steady325 Report Abuse good news for the rest of us
hubcapLA Champion Author Louisiana Posts:3,905 Points:940,435 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:58:27 PM Ignore hubcapLA Report Abuse That will drop if gas prices ever do
tessnlu Champion Author Missouri Posts:24,279 Points:1,110,165 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:55:16 PM Ignore tessnlu Report Abuse Another article said that hybrids were trickling out. What's up?
Tomeboy Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,784 Points:562,590 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:50:18 PM Ignore Tomeboy Report Abuse Some people say... Not into hybrids.................. Yet!
Retowered Champion Author Colorado Posts:8,592 Points:2,688,340 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:49:15 PM Ignore Retowered Report Abuse Can't afford one they cost to much.
dlzastera Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,525 Points:1,026,270 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:47:22 PM Ignore dlzastera Report Abuse The cost of electricty here has gone up .05 cents a kw.
Sody33 Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:15,946 Points:1,870,860 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:46:51 PM Ignore Sody33 Report Abuse hybridaholic We do too. Ours is a 2006 and it has never had a bit of trouble and it is practically totally free of any problems except a very occasional oil change and the last time we went in they said forget it as it is not even ready. We paid extra to get it and feel that has all been returned to us over these 6 years of almost free driving. Love it, love it, love it. Someone said it was very expensive to maintain - obviously a non-owner. Only a bicycle is less trouble but it is not comfy.
blk911 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:2,923 Points:771,115 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:45:56 PM Ignore blk911 Report Abuse Not into hybrids.
hybridaholic Champion Author Appleton Posts:8,380 Points:1,559,490 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:43:43 PM Ignore hybridaholic Report Abuse Love my Prius, 52 mpg.
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:7,918 Points:1,547,235 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:39:01 PM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse Record sales= anything above 0 units.
hamdriver Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,479 Points:1,380,225 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:38:26 PM Ignore hamdriver Report Abuse Good
Gas Thirsty Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,888 Points:3,231,415 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:38:23 PM Ignore Gas Thirsty Report Abuse I may get a hybrid myself.
panda317 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,264 Points:689,350 Joined:Aug 2002	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:37:13 PM Ignore panda317 Report Abuse ok
Gas Thirsty Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,888 Points:3,231,415 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:36:52 PM Ignore Gas Thirsty Report Abuse With high gas prices ... not a surprise.
gamalerin Champion Author Tampa Posts:4,767 Points:996,435 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:34:25 PM Ignore gamalerin Report Abuse E.V is our future.
bobdec Champion Author Miami Posts:8,984 Points:1,773,820 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:33:26 PM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse That may be so, but they will not last as there is better options
TelsaOR Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,566 Points:733,965 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:33:01 PM Ignore TelsaOR Report Abuse Watch what happens the closer we get to $5.00 a gallon for gas.
Tomeboy Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,784 Points:562,590 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:32:33 PM Ignore Tomeboy Report Abuse Come on in... we're Open all night.
otherdave Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,408 Points:1,272,185 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:28:13 PM Ignore otherdave Report Abuse I see another "cash for clunkers" program in the future!
sch5v2 Veteran Author Colorado Posts:330 Points:924,675 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 11:27:11 PM Ignore sch5v2 Report Abuse Just yesterday there was a news piece about hybrids fading out.