JD Power predicts more diesels and hybrids

In what is likely not the most shocking news of the day, JD Power predicts that hybrids and diesels will continue to increase their market share in the upcoming years as fuel economy increases in importance. Ah, but the magic is in predicting exactly how much market they'll capture, and the experts say that the two technologies will make up approximately 11% of the market by 2012, up from 4.8% today. 3.5% of those will be hybrids, with the other 7.5% carrying compression-ignition engines. What's not stated is how many of those diesels will find their way into passenger cars and SUVs, since the 3% share of the market they currently enjoy is overwhelmingly due to popularity in the heavy-duty light-truck segment.