TORRANCE, CA — Combined sales of hybrids in the U.S. in March zoomed upward to 16,619 — the highest monthly sales results yet, and 59 percent higher than the now-second place month of December 2004, which posted 10,441 units, according to the Green Car Congress. Toyota led the surge, with the Prius alone breaking the 10,000 per month sales mark. Toyota sold 10,236 units of its market-leading hybrid, representing 61.6 percent of all hybrids sold in the month. This is down from the 68 percent of all hybrids sold in February, reflecting solid gains on the part of other automakers. Honda also posted its best month ever for hybrid sales, moving 4,814 units between the Civic, Accord and Insight hybrids. The Accord Hybrid had its best month to date, its 1,862 units more than doubling the results from the prior month. The Ford Escape Hybrid also had its best month ever, with 1,569 sales.