Below is a random list of hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles that are available only in the Japanese market were excluded. And this is not to discriminate our Japanese friends because it acknowledged that their hybrid vehicles were the first to reach the world wide market in mass production.

What we have down there is a hybrid vehicles’ list available in Europe and the United States, where the market for hybrid vehicles is huge.

Under Ford, we have hybrid vehicles list that include Ford Escape Hybrid released in 2005. The second is the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, released in late summer of 2004.

The Ford Escape (Code U204) is a compressed crossover SUV. It is sold by the automaker Ford Motor Company in the market since 2001 and priced below the Ford Explorer.

With Honda, the hybrid vehicles listed are Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Honda Insight. The third one was a recipient of International Engine of the Year Award for 2000.

The Honda Insight is a 2-seater hatchback hybrid automobile. It was the first mass-produced hybrid automobile sold in the United States, introduced in 1999.  According to the EPA, the 5-speed manual transmission variant of this hybrid is the most fuel-efficient automobile sold in the United States. The Insight also features low emissions: the California Air Resources Board gave the 5-speed model a ULEV rating, and the CVT model earned a SULEV rating.

The Honda Civic Hybrid on the other hand, is a hybrid version of the Honda Civic sedan.

For this 2003 model of the Civic, its manufacturer added a variable transmission with an Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system similar to that of the Honda Insight. This has created a fuel efficient hybrid sedan. The current version of this car however, was redesigned.

The Honda Accord Hybrid though, is a hybrid version of the North American Honda Accord. The Accord Hybrid currently is priced at US$3,000 higher than the EX V6 model Accord, and retains the same trim and feature levels.

For the General Motors, their list of hybrid vehicles comprises the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid, which is considered by many as a Mild hybrid. Also included are the New Flyer and Gillig hybrid buses with Allisons electric drive system as the main feature. The last two are the Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid, and the Saturn VUE Green Line hybrid.

GM launched a hybrid version of the Silverado/Sierra in 2005, as the first ever GM hybrid vehicle. But as what have been said, it is a mild hybrid, strictly speaking. The electric motor serves only as power trimmings, but includes a system that also automatically shuts down when the truck brakes below 13 mph. When this happens, it automatically draws on electric power to restart itself.

The hybrid truck features four 120 volt 20 amp AC outlets. This vehicle is interestingly, suited to those in the building and construction market, since AC power is almost available in their worksite. The extra power reserve of this car makes it well-suited with this particular market.

Toyota on the other hand, includes Prius, the Highlander, and the midsized Camry.

For the record, the Toyota Prius is considered as the world’s first commercially mass-produced hybrid vehicle. But although it went on sale in Japan as early as 1997, its worldwide debut was in 2001.

Records show that in 2003, some 160,000 units were produced specifically for three major markets: Japan, Europe, and North America. In Latin, prius means “before” or “first”. The Prius 2004 model, was redesigned as a midsize hatchback, and was certified as an Advanced Technology Partial zero-emissions vehicle.

Prius has won the Car of the Year awards for Europe, Japan and North America.

Lexus’ list of hybrid vehicles consists of  Lexus RX400h, Lexus LS600hL, and the Lexus GS450h. The last on the list of Lexus, GS450h, is a compact hybrid vehicle.

Other hybrid vehicles that made it to the American market includes Nissan’s  Altima Hybrid; Peugeot’s Peugeot 307 CC Hybride HDi; and Renault’s  Kangoo.

Few car makers are developing ways to advance fuel saving there is no way that BMW will be left in the dust. BMW Europe have already present to the market the diesel engines that are strong and able to hold up to the hassles that normal road environment toss in the path of your car without having to stop for continuous gas fill-ups. With a large amount of car manufacturers being fortunate at producing a car that is capable of barely 30 miles per gallon on the highway, BMW has pushed the limits so that it is very workable to driver longer distance before your next fuel stop.

This makes the BMW diesel cars some of the most fuel resourceful cars on the market even top some of the hybrid cars that are engineered to run on a mixture of electricity and gasoline. The average emissions for a BMW diesel engine is as much as 20% less than the emissions of a similar sized gasoline engine.

As you can imagine BMW will certainly be releasing the great fuel-efficient diesel cars over from Europe with the US versions planed to hit the road in 2008. This means towards the end of 2007 you can expect to see the magnificent diesel models showing up in BMW showrooms around the United States ready and willing to show just how extraordinary BMW technology is when combined with great fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

Look forward to test driving one of these beautiful diesel cars, but do not presume to see a difference in performance from the gasoline powered models.