The Green-Car Domino Effect

When it comes to hybrids, the heavyweight tussle between American and Japanese automakers appears to be a hopeless mismatch. Toyota introduced its gas-electric hybrids in 1997 (when regular was $1.18 per gallon), and in June announced its 1 millionth hybrid sale. In the first eight months of this year, Toyota sold 189,945 hybrids in the United States, with Honda notching a respectable 24,000. As for the Americans? Don’t ask. Ford doesn’t break out sales of Escape Hybrids and Mercury Mariner Hybrids. At General Motors, hybrids
Toyota clearly stole a march on its slow-footed U.S. rivals, much as Apple crushed its competitors with the ubiquitous iPod. But the iPod, and the broader innovation it represents