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Hybrid-electic
vehicles expected to grow tremendously
U.S.
hybrid-electric vehicle sales volumes are anticipated
to grow by 268 percent between 2005 and 2012, according
to a recent update of the J.D. Power and Associates
Automotive Forecasting Services Hybrid-Electric Vehicle
Outlook.
Hybrid vehicle sales are expected to grow from approximately
212,000 vehicles in 2005 to 780,000 by 2012. Despite
the large increase in sales volume, vehicle models utilizing
a hybrid-electric powertrain still will remain a small
portion of the market, growing from 1.3 percent of U.S.
light-vehicle sales in 2005 to 4.2 percent market share
by 2012.
"Future growth will be the result of more vehicle
manufacturers entering the hybrid-electric market and
a greater number of hybrid models," said Anthony
Pratt, senior manager of global powertrain forecasting
at J.D. Power and Associates. "There are currently
only 11 hybrid models available in the U.S market, and
by 2012 that number could increase to 52 models."
While the number of hybrid models hitting dealerships
in the next several years is expected to increase dramatically,
Pratt says many of those vehicles will be in segments
void of hybrid vehicles.
"Consumers tend to purchase within the vehicle
segment that best suits their lifestyle," he said. "When hybrids were first introduced in the
United States, they were only available in sub-compact
cars that were not practical for all vehicle buyers.
This trend changed with the introduction of the Ford
Escape in late 2004 and we anticipate this trend will
continue in the future. By 2012,
consumers will have the opportunity to purchase a hybrid
vehicle in nearly all segments, including
full-size pickups, minivans and luxury cars."
The hybrid-electric vehicle market has grown from two
models and fewer than 10,000 vehicles sold in 2000 to
11 models and an estimated 212,000 vehicles sold in
2005.
About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power
and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing
information services firm operating in key business
sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting,
training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality
and satisfaction measurements are based on responses
from millions of consumers annually. J.D. Power and
Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
(Source: J.D.
Power and Associates) |
