Hybrid Vehicle Registrations Up 25.8 Percent in 2003

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 22 -- Nationwide registrations for hybrid vehicles rose to 43,435 in 2003 according to R. L. Polk & Co. The Honda Civic hybrid accounted for 50 percent of all registrations with a total of 21,750. Toyota Prius reached 20,387 registrations amounting to 47 percent of the market share. Honda Insight accounted for the remaining three percent, with 1,298 total registrations.

"People are buying hybrids because of mileage benefits and environmental concerns. With the rising cost of gas in the U.S., hybrid registrations will likely increase in 2004," said Lonnie Miller, director of Polk's Analytical Solutions. "Hybrid technology allows for much improved mileage and lower emissions while maintaining the functionality and convenience of gasoline- powered vehicles. It is a smart technology that is accessible and easy to produce. There are a number of new hybrid vehicles planned for the coming year from several manufacturers including hybrid versions of the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram Pickup, Ford Escape, Honda Accord, Lexus RX 400 and the Toyota Highlander. These new hybrid offerings will expand the market and appeal of hybrid vehicles to a larger consumer base. More new hybrid vehicles are being planned beyond 2005 which will continue the growth of this new technology and market."

Total U.S. hybrid vehicle registrations saw a 25.8 percent increase compared with 2002. Since the introduction of hybrid vehicles in model year 2000, hybrid vehicle sales have increased over 570 percent with a compound annual growth rate of 88.6 percent.

During calendar year 2003, California and Virginia retained their number one and two positions with 11,425 and 3,376 hybrid registrations respectively. Florida rose to third place with 1,996 registrations, followed by Washington with 1,972 registrations. Rounding out the top five was Maryland with 1,851 registrations (see Table 3).

Los Angeles was the number one market for hybrid registrations, with 4,701. Washington, D.C. and San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Calif. took second and third places, with 4,024 and 3,813 respectively. Rounding out the top five markets were New York City and Seattle/Tacoma, Wash., with 1,768 and 1,700 registrations respectively.

Hybrid Owner Characteristics

"Hybrid buyers have some important differences when compared to buyers of gasoline engine vehicles," Miller said. "They are slightly older on average, and their average income is higher. We're also seeing hybrid vehicles drawing more interest from women, on average, than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles."

According to Polk's motor vehicle registration database, women account for 38.8 percent of all hybrid registrations. Women account for 36 percent of gasoline engine vehicle registrations. The average age of a hybrid vehicle buyer is 49.6 years, compared to an average age of 47.6 years for buyers of gasoline engine vehicles. The average income of hybrid vehicle buyers is $78,350, compared with average income of $71,576 for gasoline engine vehicles.

About R. L. Polk & Co.

R. L. Polk & Co. is the premier provider of automotive information and marketing solutions. Polk collects and interprets global data, and provides extensive automotive business expertise to help customers understand their market position, identify trends, build brand loyalty, conquest new business and gain a competitive advantage. Polk helps automotive manufacturers and dealers, automotive aftermarket companies, finance and insurance companies, advertising agencies, consulting organizations, government agencies and market research firms make good business decisions. A privately held global firm, Polk is based in Southfield, Mich. with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. For more information, please visit www.polk.com .

  Table 1

                                      2000      2001      2002      2003
  Total U.S. Hybrid Registrations    6,479    19,033    34,521    43,435
  Source:  R. L. Polk & Co. U.S. registrations

  Table 2

    Total Hybrid U.S. Vehicle Registrations
              Total Registrations
                               2003 CY
  Make Model
  HONDA - CIVIC                 21,750
  HONDA - INSIGHT                1,298
  TOYOTA - PRIUS                20,387
  Total                         43,435
  % Change from Previous Year     25.8%
  Compound Annual Growth Rate     88.6%

  Source:  R. L. Polk & Co. U.S. registrations

  Table 3

     Top 20 States for Hybrid Registrations
              Total Registrations

  Rank     State        2003 CY
  1      CALIFORNIA      11,425
  2      VIRGINIA         3,376
  3      FLORIDA          1,996
  4      WASHINGTON       1,972
  5      MARYLAND         1,851
  6      NEW YORK         1,653
  7      TEXAS            1,651
  8      ILLINOIS         1,502
  9      MASSACHUSETTS    1,335
  10     PENNSYLVANIA     1,217
  11     OHIO             1,211
  12     OREGON           1,043
  13     NORTH CAROLINA     937
  14     COLORADO           899
  15     ARIZONA            855
  16     NEW JERSEY         854
  17     GEORGIA            791
  18     MICHIGAN           770
  19     WISCONSIN          759
  20     INDIANA            571

  Source:  R. L. Polk & Co. U.S. registrations