With a slight increase in gas prices and the CARS program in full swing, August hybrid car sales saw an increase over the numbers in June by 9 percent. Compared with last year, the difference is even starker, with increased hybrid car sales to the tune of fifty percent. With the end of the Cash for Clunkers program, the auto industry is hoping the momentum will continue to compel consumers to choose alternative fuel vehicles..

The largest beneficiary of the surge in hybrid car purchases is the 2010 Toyota Prius which outsold all others with 18,866 units rolling out dealership doors. Supplies of the Prius did not keep up with demand and the carmaker actually sold fewer than in the month of June. With no Clunker rebates but another up tick in gas prices in September, even the experts, like Forbes are remaining close to the vest.

Honda sales were greatly assisted with the sale of 4,200 of their Insight, a 4-door 5-passenger hatchback which sells for under $20,000. With a fuel efficiency rating of 40-mpg city and 43-mpg highway, the Insight has what it takes to tip the undecided toward a hybrid car purchase. Another success story is Ford, which boosted its hybrid car sales by 17 percent from last year. Finding new car loan financing may be the single most difficult hurdle consumers will need to overcome to keep sales of hybrids rolling.