Hybrid car sales fell for the third consecutive year, dropping nearly 6 percent in a year when overall vehicle sales jumped by 11 percent. That harsh reality could give ammunition to hybrid critics who argue that gas-electric vehicles were never viable, or that they only serve as a bridge to more robust vehicle electrification such as electric cars. But a deeper analysis reveals why hybrid car losses probably leveled off in 2010, and sales are poised for growth in the coming years.
First, for most of the year, a down economy and low gas prices acted as a double whammy against hybrids. On top of that, Toyota—the biggest hybrid seller and the brand most associated with hybrids—suffered serious blows to its reputation for quality and reliable technology.
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