January 2005 Hybrid Sales Almost Double from Prior Year

2 February 2005

Supported by ongoing demand and additional models, combined US sales of hybrids in January 2005 almost doubled from levels in January 2004, rising 98.8% to 8,455 units from 4,252 units the prior year.

January sales are generally the lowest of the year, and the auto industry as a whole saw December 2004 to January 2005 sales decline some 30%. Hybrid sales, by contrast dipped 19% from their record-breaking December.

Toyota continued to lead the market with 5,566 units of the Prius—an increase from January 2004 sales of 90%.

Although the Honda Civic continued in its role as the number-two selling hybrid in the US, its 1,169 January units represented a 45% drop from December, and a 9% drop from the previous January.

Ford had a very strong January for its new Escape hybrid, racking up 908 units sold—only a 6% drop from December, and better than its November figures.