J.D. Power and Associates and LMC Automotive Forecasting Services
estimate that hybrids and diesels will gain 11 percent of the U.S.
market by 2012. The companies say higher fuel prices are causing
manufacturers and consumers to look for alternatives to gas engines.
Hybrids now hold 0.5 percent of the market; that should rise to
3.5 percent by 2012. Diesels are expected to climb from 3 percent in
2004 to 7.5 percent by 2012.
