Hybrids make up more than 10% of total sales in Japan

For the first time in the Japanese automotive history, hybrid vehicles are expected to account for more than 10% of total automobile sales in Japan. According to data from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association (JADA), during the January-November period, 410,043 hybrids were sold, representing 10.6% of new car sales. The figure is expected to exceed 10% for the full year, up from last year’s 9.7%. Hybrid sales hit a record 14% in November. Out of every 10 automobiles bigger than mini-vehicles sold from January to November, two were hybrids. Strong demand for Honda Motor Co.’s hybrid version of the Fit subcompact and Freed mini-van have resulted in the sale of 120,000 units in November, a 40% increase from the total sales for the entire 2010. Honda says it will further expand its line-up of hybrids. Toyota sold 287,000 hybrids in November, down from the same period a year ago. But with the resumption of normal operations and the steady flow of supplies, sales of Toyota’s Prius rose by 60% on the year in November. By the end of 2011, Toyota is scheduled to release its next main hybrid model, the Acqua, and the company is scheduled to debut its plug-in hybrid towards the end of January 2012. Nissan Motor Co. said it also intends to expand its hybrid line-up. (December 7, 2011)