NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Apr 11, 2012) - Rising gas prices and an improving economy have led to an impressive surge for hybrid and electric car sales. With no immediate solution for rising gas prices Americans have been protecting their pockets by switching over to hybrid and electric cars. The increase in demand has provided a great boost for companies in the Alternative Auto Parts Industry. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Alternative Auto Parts Industry and provides equity research on Westport Innovations Inc. (NASDAQ: [ WPRT ]) (TSX: [ WPT ]) and A123 Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ AONE ]).

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According to a recent Bloomberg report, electric-drive vehicles, including hybrids, plug-in models and pure battery-powered cars, were the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. auto market. First quarter sales jumped 49 percent to 117,182 vehicles from 78,527 a year prior.

"There are a lot of concerns today that the electric car is going to solve," Nissan Motor Co. Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn said in a recent interview at the New York auto show. "People don't want to have to go to the gasoline station. They just want to fill their tank at home. They want to make sure they're not paying too much money for their gasoline bill every month."

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Westport Innovations Inc., the global leader in natural gas engines, recently announced the introduction of China's first natural gas engine featuring Westport high pressure direct injection (HPDI) technology at a press conference at the government building in Beijing, the Beijing Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Speaking at the press conference was Tan Xuguang, Weichai Power Chairman and David Demers, Westport CEO in addition to members from the Ministry of Science and Technology and from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

A123 Systems, a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate® lithium iron phosphate batteries and systems, today announced that Advanced Traction Battery Systems (ATBS), A123's co-owned Shanghai-based joint venture company, has been selected to develop battery packs for a new plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) sedan from Geely, one of the fastest-growing automakers in China and the parent company of Volvo Car Corporation.

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