The American automotive industry is anticipating further increases in the sales of gas-electric hybrid vehicles in 2005, following the impact of the rising global cost of gasoline on 2004 sales of the eco-friendly cars, according to the Chicago Daily Herald.

Leading hybrid manufacturers Ford, Honda and Toyota, currently the only producers of gas-electric cars and SUVs in the US, are faced by a massive increase in demand for existing hybrid models at a time when they are also trying to focus on developing more advanced hybrid and zero-emission fuel cell technologies.

"We can't deliver immediately. As they come in, we fill the orders as fast as we can." said Gary Vicari, president and general manager of Arlington Toyota, when commenting on the current level of demand for the company's flagship hybrid, the Prius.

According to Bob Rochetto, sales manager of Fair Oaks Ford showrooms in Naperville, his firm has had to deal with at least two or three potential customers per day since the spring for the US car manufacturing giant's Escape SUV hybrid - not available in showrooms until Decmber at the earliest.

"When you take two or three a day and multiply that by six days a week . . . that's a lot," Mr Rochetto told the Tribune.

Understandably all three manufacturers are keen to maintain the head start they have carved out in the burgeoning hybrid market with Toyota having already confirmed it will double the US distribution of the Prius to 100,000 cars, whilst at the same time bringing in the Highlander and Lexus RX SUV hybrids.

Ford has confirmed it is building some 20,000 hybrid Escape SUVs ahead of the vehicle's launch in 2005, while Honda is to extend its range of hybrids with the V-6 Accord set to join its already established Insight and hybrid Civic range.

According to David Healy, an auto industry analyst with Burnham Securities, Ford, Honda and Toyota will build more than 250,000 hybrid vehicles globally in 2005.