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Europe on track to buy more PHEVs than hybrids by 2019

LMC Automotive, formerly the forecasting division of J.D. Power & Associates, predicts that plug-in hybrids will sell better than conventional hybrids by 2019. By 2021, it envisions PHEV sales at 600,000 units yearly compared to 325,000 standard hybrid sales, and by 2024 PHEV sales are expected to account for 1.2 million sales every year. Part of LMC's prediction is based on a few factors, such as that it believes "electric-only operation will come to be seen as a true luxury characteristic and will be prized sufficiently to command significant premiums." Certain PHEVs are helped in countries like the UK and The Netherlands by generous incentives or other perks, like avoiding inner London's congestion charge, that allow them to address their price differences compared to standard offerings. And the number of PHEVs on the market will soon eclipse regular hybrids, coming from makers across the spectrum. Volvo has twice recently, and only belatedly, learned of the popularity of PHEVs: in 2013 it had to triple production of the V60 PHEV, and just this month it said demand for its XC90 PHEV is four times expectations. The Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid is outselling the traditional hybrid Panamera by more than seven-to-one. And then there's Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Europe's best-selling PHEV with 19,855 units, a volume more than three times larger than the second-best seller. Although LMC sees hybrid growth slowing, they're still doing well. Toyota and Lexus build the top-five selling traditional hybrids in Europe, combining for 72 percent of European sales, with the new Auris and Yaris hybrids alone selling 123,506 units in 2014. For LMC's forecast to come true, Europe will need a spectacular change in buying habits, since the top ten conventional hybrids tallied 175,847 sales in 2014, and the top ten PHEVs rang up 36,138 sales. Featured Gallery 2015 Volvo XC90 T8 View 14 Photos News Source: Automotive News - sub. req. Green Mitsubishi Toyota Volvo Hybrid ev sales hybrid sales toyota auris hybrid toyota yaris hybrid

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Final Edition gets official for Japan only

It'll be the end of an era when Mitsubishi discontinues the Lancer Evolution, putting to rest a dynasty that challenged the Subauru WRX STI for decades. But before it does, the Diamond-Star automaker is sending off its most celebrated model with the Final Edition you see here. Unfortunately, it's nowhere near as cool as the concept. While the showcar pumped the output from its 2.0-liter turbo four to 473 horsepower thanks to a remapped ECU and a fresh HKS turbocharger, the production version is sticking with the stock 296 hp. It's otherwise based on the GSR model, so it's got a five-speed gearbox, but packs a long list of top-shelf equipment: BBS alloys, Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats... the works. Mitsubishi will only offer 1,000 examples of the Evo X Final Edition in Japan, where buyers will be able to choose between five exterior colors and a contrasting roof in black or white. We don't know at this point whether a similar special will be offered Stateside, but if it is, we hope it'll pack at least some of the concept's power upgrades (we can dream, right?).

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #357 LIVE!

We're set to record Autoblog Podcast #357 tonight, joined by Jeff Glucker of the Hooniverse Podcast. You can check out the topics below, drop us your questions and comments via our Q&A module, and don't forget to subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so. To take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #357
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