| There are presently many hybrid car models in | | | | the very popular Toyota Prius. Honda launched a |
| the market. The hybrid car technology has | | | | hybrid version of the Civic model. The hybrid |
| become very popular that almost all carmakers | | | | model of Civic was known to be 30% more |
| would like to ride the trend. Other manufacturers | | | | efficient than the non-hybrid Civic. Like the original |
| that cannot produce their own technology are | | | | model, the Civic hybrid is a four-door sedan that |
| buying technology from big companies that are | | | | accommodates 5 passengers. The hybrid model |
| ahead in the development of hybrid cars. Some | | | | looks very much like the non-hybrid counterpart |
| companies are having a tie up with other | | | | but it was the hood that was modified. It was |
| companies so that they will come up with good | | | | changed to become a lighter vehicle in order to be |
| models that they could use together. | | | | able to run efficiently on the electric power. |
| Toyota's Offering | | | | Summing it all up, the Civic became popular but |
| Later, Toyota introduced the Toyota Prius in the | | | | not as popular as the Toyota Prius which up to |
| US. Presently, this model is the most popular | | | | now is a favorite. |
| hybrid car in the market. The Toyota Prius has a | | | | Nissan's Attempt to Join the Hybrid World |
| very efficient EPA rating and it has the lowest | | | | Nissan bought the hybrid technology of Toyota |
| emission rating of up to 90 percent reduction | | | | and they were able to produce the Nissan Altima |
| compared to a regular vehicle. The good news is | | | | Hybrid. This model gained a lot of good reviews. It |
| that the price of Toyota Prius can compete very | | | | is not very surprising when you take into account |
| well with the other cars of its type. It is actually | | | | the popularity of Toyota Prius. But still, the Altima |
| the first hybrid car that was mass-produced. | | | | Hybrid is yet to make a name. |
| Toyota Motors have high hopes with the future | | | | Ford's Hybrid Lines |
| of hybrid vehicles. Not only was it evident in the | | | | Being one of the biggest names in the car-making |
| research and development that they put into the | | | | world, Ford Motors will not be left behind in the |
| famous Toyota Prius. They proved the sincerity | | | | hybrid trend. Ford offered the Ford Escape hybrid |
| of this belief by introducing other models of the | | | | to the market. It is another fully hybrid vehicle |
| SUV line. They introduced to the market the | | | | that was to make a name in the hybrid market. |
| Highlander hybrid and Lexus SUV hybrid in the | | | | Another model that Ford Motors introduced was |
| year 2005. | | | | the Mercury Mariner Hybrid although it did not |
| Honda's First Hybrid Car Models | | | | became as popular as the Ford Escape Hybrid. |
| Honda first released Insight in the year 1999. | | | | GM in the Hybrid Picture |
| They were the first carmaker to offer hybrid | | | | Another model of hybrid vehicles is the Dodge |
| electric car in the USA. This model has gained a | | | | Ram Hybrid. This model did not become very |
| little popularity in the first five years that it was | | | | popular. DaimlerChrysler, the mother company of |
| on the market. It was designed to be very fuel | | | | Dodge tied up with General Motors to produce |
| efficient so it was built with a lightweight aluminum | | | | good models of hybrid vehicles. They joined their |
| chassis. It was a two-seater vehicle. Honda Insight | | | | group and produced models, some of which are |
| Hybrid was an environment friendly model. Aside | | | | the Dodge Durango Hybrid, Chevy Silverado and |
| from being fuel efficient, it was made to produce | | | | GM Sierra Pickups. |
| very low emission. There was an earlier version | | | | There are indeed many varieties of hybrid car |
| of this model that was released in Japan and Los | | | | models in the market. If hybrids are only a |
| Angeles in 1997. | | | | passing solution to the energy problem of the |
| Honda vs. Toyota | | | | future, it is indeed a good solution. With the very |
| Honda being threatened by the popularity of the | | | | low emission and high fuel efficiency that it |
| Toyota hybrids introduced to the market their | | | | provides, it can work well until another better |
| new model of a hybrid car that will compete with | | | | solution comes along. |