It's no longer for the jet set, environmentalists or college students. Hybrid vehicles are in demand from all corners, and the most popular of all - in fact, the most popular vehicle online - is the new Toyota Prius. Rebuilt last year into a larger, sexier car with a more sophisticated hybrid system is up 41 percent from the first quarter. Even the Insight, the futuristic two-seater first to these shores with a hybrid powerplant, is enjoying a renaissance: compared to the first quarter, Insight vehicle requests are up 30 percent, trailing only the Prius and the Volkswagen Jetta (31 percent) in percentage growth, quarter to quarter. The online demand for these vehicles echoes the offline phenomenon of the Ford Escape Hybrid, the first and only hybrid SUV. Despite a price tag of more than $3,000 over the regular V6 Escape, there is a waiting list for the hybrid SUV.
It won't be by itself for long. Toyota will soon be debuting the Lexus 400h, a hybrid version of the RX330, and right behind that will come the Highlander hybrid. General Motors also plans to debut several hybrids, including the Saturn VUE and Chevrolet Tahoe. Honda is planning to debut the hybrid Accord later this year, and Nissan - in partnership with Toyota - has announced plans to build a 2007 Altima hybrid.
The word is out about hybrids. And judging from the decline in large vehicle requests, we will likely see a broad selection of large vehicle hybrids in the near future. After all, who wouldn't buy an F-150 or a Sequoia that gets 50 percent better gas mileage and as-good if not better towing and hauling capability?
