The auto industry has gone through many changes over the past few years, and this year’s North American International Auto Show truly exemplified this. These changes have been guided by people shying away from expensive, gas guzzling vehicles and migrating toward hybrids and other “green” options.

Attendees at the auto show saw a bevy of cars that are not normally on display, including hybrid vehicles from China and electric cars from Korea. These new cars symbolize the change that automakers have been making since the financial troubles of General Motors and Chrysler last year.

Every car company wants to be considered the leader of the electric car movement, a movement where over 97 percent of Americans do not even own a hybrid vehicle. However, that would not appear the case with the 37,000-square-foot Electric Avenue exhibit at the show. Automakers are betting that electric cars will be the next big thing.

Take a step back and think about it; it makes sense. With many Americans strapped for cash, wouldn’t they eventually prefer a car that could save them money in the end? It seems only logical that people want to save money in the long run. The only problem is splashing out more cash upfront. Only time will tell if this vision will come to fruition.

Aside from the electric vehicles, much hype was generated from the Honda CR-Z and the European-market Ford Focus, available in 2011. Things should be heating up over the next couple years and we will continue to bring you news from Electric Avenue.

***

Stay tuned in for more information on electric cars, hybrids and other fuel-efficient options.

Although Toyota has remained the dominant automaker in hybrid vehicle sales thanks to the popular Prius, the automaker has been slow to produce extended range plug-in hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles. In an effort to change that Toyota will begin leasing 150 plug-in Prius hybrids in the U.S. shortly in preparation of thousands of units in retail sales within two years.

In February, Toyota will be releasing only 600 of these plug-in Prius models globally. The vehicle will be in direct competition with the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, which will be available next year.

This new Prius will have a longer electric-only range compared to that of the current Toyota Prius. The electric-only range is good for 14.5 miles, still shorter than the Volt’s 40 mile range. After the plug-in Prius surpasses its electric-only range, it will continue to operate as a standard Prius.

Introducing the plug-in Prius hybrid via leasing in limited numbers will provide Toyota with ample field data about the vehicle as it undergoes every-day driving conditions. When it goes on sale, Toyota asserts that the car will be “affordable,” but retail or leasing pricing has yet to be released.

* * *

Learn more about plug-in hybrids here.