The years of 2004 through 2007 will long be remembered as a pivotal period in the
automobile industry as during this period gasoline prices started a sea change among US
consumers that is finally creating a significant demand for fuel efficient vehicles. As a result, this
has lead to the phenomenal demand for Toyota’s Prius hybrid car. Responding to the demands
of consumers Toyota has expanded its investments in Georgetown, Kentucky plant to enable to
manufacture 48,000 hybrid cars yearly. Ford launched its first hybrids, and other carmakers,
including GM, were greatly encouraged in their own efforts to bring more hybrids to the market.
However, response to hybrids from U.S. makers has been lukewarm at best. Consumers generally aren’t as impressed with U.S. hybrid technology as they are with that of Toyota
models.