Experian: Hybrid Marketshare Grows
As a way to honor Earth Day, Experian Automotive released an analysis of hybrid vehicles. The data shows that hybrid marketshare has increased nearly 41% in the past two years — though it remains in the low single digits. Hybrids accounted for 3.1% of sales last year compared with 2.2% in 2011. 
Experian also found in its study that consumers buying hybrids have notably higher credit scores than other new-car buyers — 790 versus 755.
“While they may have made the vehicle purchase due to caring for the environment, our research shows that hybrid owners are economically minded as well,” Melinda Zabritski, Experian’s director of automotive credit, said in a press release. “Hybrid owners tend to have outstanding credit histories, which also has enabled them to obtain financing at lower rates than typical consumers.”
The study also revealed the average amount financed on a hybrid vehicle was $25,807, the average monthly payment was $461, and the lease-loan ratio last year was 21.4% lease to 78.6% loan.
Experian also broke down marketshare by automaker, and Toyota products accounted for 63% of the market:
