Edmunds.com's green automotive trends and forecasts

Edmunds.com, an automotive information site, has compiled its list of 2006 automotive trends. Among the green trends were:

• Subcompact market sales increased 63 percent compared to 2005 in the wake of petrol prices reaching a national average of $3.03 per gallon for regular self-serve in August 2006.
• Hybrid vehicle market share increased nearly 35 percent compared to last year.

Petrol prices are expected to continue to have a significant impact on buyers' spending habits next year resulting in the following trends expected in 2007:

• Sales of crossover vehicles will continue to improve as midsize and large SUV owners seek better fuel economy.
  
• Hybrid vehicles will continue to gain mainstream interest.
• U.S. acceptance of diesel will expand with the introduction of Mercedes-Benz's new BlueTec diesel technology and the new diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Lists were also published of the most-researched cars and trucks of 2006.

Related:

• German manufacturers bet on diesel in America
• GM's new green strategy to focus on plug-in hybrids with "I-car" project

[Source: Business Wire]