Hybrid cars enjoyed a huge boost in sales amid skyrocketing gas prices over the past few years of uncertain economic times and restless consumers. The fusion of electricity and gasoline to fuel a vehicle proved to be an irresistable offer to both the eco-conscious, as well as to thrifty realists who decided they'd had it with being price-gouged for gas.

Now, as the gas prices begin to stabilize and consumer's pocketbooks seem to be a little heavier because of it, are these hybrid vehicles still enjoying their increasing status, or are they now a passing fad? Well, apparently American consumers are still interested in helping to conserve natural resources as well as save on gasoline, because these hybrid cars are still selling like hotcakes.

Sure, the sales may not be as hot as they were just a few short months ago when many areas in the US were facing gas prices of $3 and over, but they are still enjoying successful and plentiful sales, and are also enjoying a more wide recognition as people become increasingly eco-aware.

More and more Americans are realizing after the great surge in gas prices that seemed to have no end in sight, that this type of energy crisis can very well happen again, at any time, and they are trying to make more energy efficient choices in their vehicles.

In fact, when most of the time the fickle American public is quick to forget a pricing or shortage crisis when it comes to energy or natural resource supplies, they are not so quick to forget the gas price increases that were digging so deep into our pockets for what seemed like an eternity, and they are willing to spend a little more on a car that may prevent them from "having" to pay those outrageous prices ever again.

This is a tremendous shift in typical American consumerism, since we usually do tend to think short term, and the continued popularity of hybrid vehicles seems to signal a turn to long term thinking in large purchases in the buying public.

So, who are the leaders in the hybrid car market? Well, the Toyota Prius seems to be the most popular, at least these are the hybrids that I have seen most out on the roads and freeways in my neck of the woods.

Toyota is known for it's high quality, long-lasting cars, and is a trusted consumer brand here in the US, so it is only fitting that they produce one of the best sellers in the hybrid market. Others that are up and coming in the hybrid car market are Daimler Chrysler and GM, but their models have not quite matched the success Toyota's Prius has had yet.

On the horizon for the hybrid car options are luxury SUV's and larger, "family size" vehicles, for families that are watching their gasoline budget, but who can also obviously afford a little more up front for the luxury that comes afterwards in less gas expenditure.

We can only hope that more advances are to come in the energy alternative market, especially since we've seen what a fuel crisis can do to our economy and our working class citizens (like you and me). I have a feeling the technology is right on the brink, we just need to learn to let go of the idea that gasoline is the most efficient answer.