Consumer Reports magazine reported in its latest edition an important change in the attitude of Americans towards vehicles with electric technology, both hybrid and zero emissions.
To a large extent, the changes are explained by the technology offered by electrified cars, which has led them to occupy seven of the ten best purchase options for 2024, according to the publication.
Among the cars highlighted for this year are four Toyota models, including the new Prius and a hybrid version of the Camry sedan.
Tesla also won recognition with its Model Y, while Ford scored with its Maverick Hybrid pickup truck and BMW with its X5 PHEV.
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Electromobility in Figures
According to Consumer Reports, electrified vehicles accounted for 16.3% of all light vehicle sales in the United States last year, a figure that evidences a growing trend towards this technology.
The problem for manufacturers is that this transition is progressing too slowly for their initial claims, so they have had to limit the production of their battery-powered models and adjust their prices downwards in order to encourage demand for these units.
A different scenario occurs with plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), which are experiencing a notable increase in popularity, with a 60% increase in sales last year.
Jake Fisher, CR’s Senior Director of Automotive Testing, noted that for many drivers, PHEVs offer long-term savings compared to gasoline, basic hybrid or conventional electric vehicles.
Separately, in Consumer Reports‘ 2024 Brand Ratings report, European automaker BMW retained its position as the top-ranked among 34 brands, evaluated based on road tests, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety.
In terms of U.S. domestic auto brands, General Motors ranked highest, followed by Buick in 13th place, while Ford and Tesla ranked 17th and 18th, respectively.
