Hybrid shipments surged 47% in '06

Shipments of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles surged by 47.6 percent in fiscal 2006 from the previous year to reach 90,410 units, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Friday.

The brisk shipments of the low-emission vehicles indicate their popularity has soared as people have grown conscious of environmental conservation, said a JAMA official.

Toyota Motor Corp. was the overwhelming leader in business 2006, boosting hybrid vehicle shipments 44.2 percent to 81,001 units, including Prius sedans and Estima Hybrid minivans.

Honda Motor Co. more than doubled its hybrid vehicle shipments to 7,748 units on strong sales of the Civic Hybrid.