DETROIT, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Hybrid gasoline-electric cars, trucks and SUVs are expected to top out at 3 percent of the U.S. auto market by 2010, J.D. Power predicts.
Manufacturers are expected to offer 38 hybrid models in 2011, 17 cars and 21 light trucks, and sell more than 525,000 vehicles.
Automakers expect to sell more than 200,000 hybrids in the 2005 model year led by Toyota's Prius, Honda's Civic and Accord Hybrids and the Ford Escape Hybrid sport-utility vehicle.
"Despite the significant growth in the number of models and annual sales over the next five years, we anticipate hybrid market share to reach a plateau of approximately 3 percent near the end of the decade," said Anthony Pratt, senior manager of global powertrain forecasting.
The J.D. Power-LMC Automotive Forecasting Services Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Outlook says the $3,000 to $4,000 premium consumers pay for hybrid technology will spur sales of non-hybrid options like ultra-fuel efficient gasoline and cleaner super-diesel engines.