Washington, D.C. – Reported sales of hybrid vehicles in the U.S. rose 10 per cent in March 2008 as compared to March 2007 sales, according to a report by the Green Car Congress. March 2008 marked the second-highest monthly total yet, behind only May 2007, and gave hybrids a total share of 2.8 per cent of all new vehicle sales. Total light-duty vehicle sales dropped 12 per cent in March.

The percentage is based on a straight numbers comparison, without adjusting for selling days in the month; there were 26 selling days in March 2008, compared with 28 in March 2007. The figures do not include sales from General Motors, which does not report its hybrid sales separately.

Toyota reported 20,635 sales of the Prius, an increase of eight per cent over March 2007 and the model’s second-best results to date. The Camry Hybrid sold 6,930 units, up 35 per cent, and representing 17.1 per cent of all Camry sales. The Highlander Hybrid sold 2,239 units, down 10 per cent from March 2007, and representing 20.7 per cent of all Highlanders sold.

The Lexus RX400h sold 1,570 units, up seven per cent, and representing 20.3 per cent of all RX models sold. The GS450h sold 65 units, down 64 per cent, while the LS600h sold 113 units.

The Honda Civic Hybrid sold 3,769 units, up 34 per cent and representing 11.5 per cent of all Civic sales. The Accord Hybrid, now discontinued, sold 53 units, down 86 per cent and representing 0.1 per cent of all Accord models sold.

Combined sales of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids dropped 20 per cent to 2,008 units, representing 9.0 of all Escape and Mariner models sold.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid sold 832 units, an 80 per cent increase and 2.6 per cent of all Altima models sold.