A combination of high oil prices, lower hybrid costs and increased promotion of fuel-efficient vehicles will persuade more consumers to switch, the Report Buyer study said. Hybrid cars will make up 4 per cent of European sales volumes by the end of the decade and they are also set to rise in the US, the research claimed. “Although hybrid cars were predicted to appeal to a niche market of technology savvies and environmentalists, their launch has met with commercial success,” said Christina Belloge, author of the report. “Given the massive investment in research and development spent by auto manufacturers and governmental institutions, the recent hybrid sales trend does not appear to be just a fashion statement.” The report also found that the hybrid market is currently dominated by two manufacturers – Toyota and Honda – but predicted that European car makers would claim market share as they launch newer models. For the market to grow significantly however, the cost of such vehicles needs to come down as prices currently act as a barrier to a large proportion of consumers, the report said.