2009 Hybrid Roundup | Just The Facts

Hybrid searches and traffic on several Hybrid Kingdom sites have been cautiously trending upward over the past two weeks, possibly fueled by the following factors.

1.  fuel prices have risen off their recent lows
2.  politicians and talking heads are creating more press about a federal gas tax
3.  several new hybrid vehicles are generating buzz (Insight, Prius, Fusion)
4.  buyers market continues to improve, along with new incentives

If you’re one of the people who recently jumped into the “what’s all the fuss about hybrids?” camp, here are some helpful facts and a roundup of the current state of hybrids.

There are 23 hybrid vehicles you can get your hands on in 2009. More information on all of these vehicles can be found by searching hybrid-cars.org or hybridsuv.com.

Toyota Prius
Toyota Camry
Toyota Highlander
Saturn Vue
Saturn Vue (2 mode)
Nissan Altima
Lexus RX450h
Lexus LS600h
Lexus GS450h
Honda Insight
Honda Civic
Ford Fusion
Mercury Milan
Mercury Mariner
Mazda Tribute
Ford Escape
Saturn Aura
Chevrolet Malibu
GMC Sierra
GMC Yukon
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Tahoe
Cadillac Escalade

From Autonews.com : (subscription required)

Fact:     Hybrid sales accounted for 2.4% of all vehicles sold in 2008.

Fact:     Hybrid sales were down about 10% in 2008 (315, 761 hybrids sold) when compared to 2007 (350,430).

Sales ranked by manufacturer (2007 | 2008)

1.  Toyota (275,779 | 241,405) down 12.5%
2.  Honda (35,980 | 31,495) down 12.5%
3.  Ford Motor Co. (25,108 | 19,522) down 22.2%
4.  General Motors (5,175 | 14,439) up 179%
5.  Nissan (8,388 | 8,819) up 5.1%
6.  Chrysler, LLC (0 | 81)

The IRS has updated its list of hybrid vehicles currently eligible for tax credits.

Model Year 2009

Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD, $3,000
Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD, $1,950
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD, $3,000
Mazda Tribute Hybrid, 4WD, $1,950
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2WD, $3,000
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD, $1,950

Model Year 2008

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, $1,300
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 2WD and 4WD, $2,200
Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD, $3,000
Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD, $2,200
GMC Yukon Hybrid, $2,200
Honda Civic purchased between Jan. 1 and June 1, 2008, $1,050
Honda Civic purchased between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2008, $525.
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD, $3,000
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4WD, $2,200
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2WD, $3,000
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD. $2,200
Nissan Altima Hybrid, $2,350
Saturn Aura Hybrid, $1,300
Saturn Vue Green Line, $1,550

Check here for updates, or visit Hybrid Tax Credits.