Originally published February 7 2006
Celebrities, soaring gas prices increase hybrid cars' popularity, but American automakers are still behind
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
With gas prices showing no signs of significant reduction, and the faces of Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz both being seen behind the wheel of hybrid cars, the vehicles' popularity is skyrocketing, but U.S. automakers such as Ford and GM have broken into the market a bit late, and are not seeing the fruits of that popularity.
Hybrid engines powered by electricity and petrol have been around for years.
It is now the best-selling hybrid in the United States, helped in no small part by the sight of Hollywood stars such as Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz behind the wheel of one.
Up to the end of November, Toyota said it had sold 99,000 Prius cars this year compared to 47,700 over the same period of 2004.
According to research firm Global Insight, total US sales of hybrids are set to more than double to 200,000 this year and mushroom to 500,000 a year by 2010.
Toyota has led the way with the Prius and the four-by-four Highlander, designed to appeal to Americans' taste for sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
US giants General Motors and Ford are now ramping up their own hybrid production but came late to the game.
GM and Ford remained wedded for too long to petrol SUVs and pick-up trucks, whose sales have slumped this year as Americans shun gas-guzzlers.
An average SUV consumes about 20 litres (five gallons) of petrol over a 100 kilometre (62 mile) trip, compared to a hybrid which will sip just four to five litres (1.1 to 1.3 gallons) of gasoline.
"Nearly a decade ago, the government offered subsidies to their domestic auto suppliers to build hybrid batteries, which are one of the most expensive components of today's hybrid vehicles," Bill Ford said in late November.
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Arguing that hybrids will help the United States lessen its reliance on Middle East oil, the Ford chairman has been pushing the government to adopt tax breaks for buyers and fiscal incentives for manufacturers.
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