DETROIT — Global auto executives say sales of hybrid cars and fuel-efficient vehicles will accelerate over the next five years because of concerns about fuel prices, according to an annual KPMG survey released on Wednesday.

Eighty-eight percent of those surveyed said they expect gas-electric hybrids to gain market share, up from 74 percent in 2004. Seventy-nine percent said they expect low-cost cars to gain share. Only 35 percent expect the luxury market to grow — compared with 48 percent two years ago — while 36 percent expect SUVs will gain market share.

Regional differences appeared in the survey. More than half of the European and Asian executives polled predicted growth for SUVs, compared with only 6 percent of North American executives. Asians were the only executives to predict much growth in the pickup-truck segment.

KPMG surveyed 140 senior executives at 35 vehicle manufacturers and 105 suppliers.

What this means to you: The brain trusts among the North American manufacturers are betting against SUVs and in favor of hybrids.

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=108727