Expensive Gas, Japanese Hybrid Car Sales Rise in U.S.

JAKARTA - Japanese car sales in the United States rose in July. The main impetus came from hybrid cars, as gasoline prices were boosted by Middle East tensions.

Kyodo News, quoted Tuesday, August 4, reported that the combined sales of new vehicles from Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and Mazda in the US rose 1.9 percent compared to the same period last year to 446,544 units.

The increase was supported by strong demand for hybrid cars. Hybrid cars use gasoline engines and electric motors, so their fuel consumption is usually more economical than regular gasoline cars.

The deteriorating situation in the Middle East has pushed up gasoline prices in various countries. This condition gives more room for hybrid cars, when demand for new cars in the US remains strong.

Japanese carmakers are also strengthening their hybrid car lineup. More fuel-efficient models are gaining momentum amid rising gasoline prices.

Toyota Motor Corp., the world's largest automaker by volume, posted a slight decline. Sales fell 0.8 percent to 216,361 units.

However, Toyota's electrification vehicles remain an important mainstay. Electrified vehicles, including hybrid cars, accounted for 55.7 percent of Toyota's total sales in the US. The figure rose 12.3 percentage points compared to the previous year.

Electrified vehicles are vehicles that use electric technology in their propulsion system, including hybrids and full electric cars.

Honda Motor Co. recorded the strongest growth among the four manufacturers. Sales rose 12.8 percent to 136,549 units.

Honda's rise was supported by demand for hybrid cars and relatively affordable models.

Subaru Corp. is also still growing, albeit slightly. Sales rose 0.8 percent to 54,454 units.

In contrast, Mazda Motor Corp. fell quite a bit. Mazda sales fell 13.0 percent to 39,180 units, partly due to weak sales of its flagship sport utility vehicle or SUV model.