Hybrid appeal may be slowing in some regions
The days of the 8-month waiting list to buy a hybrid or dealers selling them for more than sticker could be drawing to a close.
A report in a Massachusetts newspaper says the waiting list is down to three months at a local Toyota dealer, and there is no waiting list at the Honda dealer. Crossover vehicles such as the RAV4 are selling like crazy, however. Also, the 4-cylinder Corolla and new Scion models are more popular than ever. Even the AAA spokesman believes hybrid sales have "spiked and leveled off." Experts say shoppers are weighing the fuel-mileage benefits against the higher initial cost. That's an indication shoppers are doing more research and possibly why subcompact sales has grown so fast this year.
[Source: The Sun Chronicle]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Benson Leung 2:33AM (9/06/2006)
This article falls into the same pattern of generalizing all hybrids and perpetuating common misconceptions about hybrid performance on the highway.
From the article :
"In addition to the higher cost, Paul said many hybrids are not getting the estimated EPA mileage advertised. He said hybrids function best in city driving conditions, not long commutes."
... except when they do. I get EPA mileage in my Prius easily. Both city and highway. As for long commutes, i've driven 400 to 500 miles road trips at 65+ MPH and clocked in well over 55 MPG. This article is phrased in such a way to suggest that Hybrids perform worse than regular cars on the highway, while the truth is that they are still among the best performers in highway conditions... just not by as wide a margin as in city or urban driving conditions.
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Derek 11:58AM (9/06/2006)
I think a major factor (at least in the DC area) is that the exemption for hybrids to be allowed in carpool lanes is continually under threat in the Virginia legislature. Currently, if you have a hybrid, you can drive solo in the special "diamond lanes" when you would normally need 2 or 3 people in your car. Now that the carpool lanes are filled up with hybrids, there's been pressure to kick them out. So if buyers are unsure about the added value of a hybrid, they're not going to buy one.
My parents commute an hour to work in their hybrid and have bought motorcyles (which are and will continue to be allowed on carpool lanes) in case the hybrid exemption is lifted.
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Carl Trimble 10:27AM (9/07/2006)
I do not want a hybrid. I want an electric car. I don't want to burn any fuel!
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