HIGH-SELLING HYBRIDS

Prices for used hybrid vehicles jumped during the gas crunch last summer but recent resale data now shows that the hybrid price frenzy has eased. For example, Toyota dealers say they paid top book prices last summer, but over the past two months, lowered demand has lead to price drops. “We're still selling them, but not like before,†says Braulio Jimenez, used car manager for Findlay Toyota. Now used Prius hybrids are wholesaling up to $1,000 under the Kelly Blue Book pricing guide. According to Edmunds.com, hybrid cars have better resale value than hybrid SUVs because hybrid buyers are still attracted to the improved fuel economy offered by hybrids. Hybrid sales during the first 11 months of 2006 reached 229,240, which is up 22.2% from the 187,588 sold over the same 11 months of 2005. However, this growth is mainly attributed to the introduction of the Toyota Camry Hybrid in 2006, which has sold 27,337 units this year so far.



Source: Arlena Sawyers, “Prices for used hybrid vehicles ease,†Automotive News, www.autonews.com