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Hybrid vehicles aren’t just a fad—they’re the future of the auto industry. Here are some of the latest hybrid cars to add to your dealership inventory.
Remember when hybrid vehicles hit the U.S. market in 1999? They were almost a novelty at the time, and many car owners had no idea what to do with them—and if you were working in an auto dealership, you might have been pretty confused as well. However, as consumers have begun to prioritize fuel-efficiency and decrease their carbon footprint, the latest hybrid cars have grown to be an attractive option for some car buyers.
Why are hybrid vehicles so appealing to customers? And what benefits can you share with interested car shoppers? There are a few main points that come up time and time again:
1. Fuel-efficiency
The combination of gasoline engines with electric motors means hybrid vehicles are dramatically more fuel-efficient than regular gasoline-powered cars.
2. Environmental impact
Hybrid vehicles, and especially the latest hybrid cars, have lower carbon dioxide emissions, require less gas, and overall, release less exhaust into the air.
3. Long-term value
Hybrid vehicles are usually a little more expensive in the short term, but the amount of money drivers save in fuel over time often makes a hybrid the better buy in the end.
While the vast majority of vehicles on the road are still the traditional gasoline-powered models we’ve grown to know and love, don’t overlook the importance of including the latest hybrid cars in your dealership’s inventory. Toyota, the automaker with the top-selling hybrids, saw 16% growth in hybrid vehicles sales in 2016 and delivered a record 1.4 million units.
Meanwhile, government regulations are pushing for stricter fuel-efficiency standards to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. These are the vehicles our country is slowly moving toward, and your dealership needs to be stocked with hybrid options.
The latest hybrid cars that have consumers talking
As traditional vehicles evolve year after year, so do the hybrids. The latest hybrid cars feature the advances in technology, safety, and comfort that car shoppers are looking for. With newer hybrids, automakers are continually making changes to improve the driving experience, provide more power, and decrease battery size and weight. Sleeker, streamlined models are rolling off the assembly line.
If your dealership is taking hybrid vehicles more seriously, here are some of the newest models that the auto industry is buzzing about:
1. 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Horsepower: 208
MPG: 51 city/ 53 highway
Top speed: 117 mph*
0-60 in 7.2 seconds*
2. 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
Horsepower: 212
MPG: 49/47
Top speed: 114 mph
0-60 in 7.2 seconds
3. 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
Horsepower: 268
MPG: 40 city/39 highway
Top speed:117 mph*
0-60 in 7.4 seconds*
4. 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Horsepower: 124
MPG: 49 city/43 highway
Top speed: 100 mph*
0-60 in 7.4 seconds*
5. 2017 Toyota Prius
Horsepower: 121
MPG: 54 city/50 highway
Top speed: 114 mph
0-60 in 10.5 seconds
6. 2017 Kia Niro
Horsepower: 139
MPG: 52 city/49 highway
Top speed: 111 mph
0-60 in 8.6 seconds
7. 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Horsepower: 306
MPG: 29 city/27 highway
Top speed: 112 mph
0-60 in 7 seconds
8. 2018 Chevrolet Volt
Horsepower:149
MPG: 106 (in conjunction with electric motor)*
Top speed: 102 mph*
0-60 in 7.5 seconds*
*numbers from 2017 model year
2018 hybrid models will be on showroom floors soon, so expect the specs listed above to start looking even better for the coming year.
Still not sure about bringing the latest hybrid cars into your dealership? Ask your customers.
Change is scary and it can feel like a huge gamble to invest in hybrid vehicles if you’re worried they won’t sell. Instead of guessing, reach out to your customers to gauge interest in hybrid vehicles.
- Post pictures of cool hybrid vehicles on Instagram and see what kind of comments your followers leave.
- Ask questions about interest in hybrids on Facebook and observe the kind of feedback you get.
- Send out a quick email survey through your auto CRM to find out what your customer base knows about hybrid vehicles and whether they’re interested in learning more, or even purchasing one in the future.
The insights you gain from social media and surveys can propel your future marketing efforts and purchasing decisions.
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