Are Hybrids Becoming a Hard Sell?

A recent drop in world oil prices has made motorists in the US less concerned about buying ultra fuel-efficient vehicles. So much so that carmakers have started to offer incentives on some electric-hybrid models, including Toyota’s own Prius, for the first time. Some of the deals are similar to those inducements given on big gas guzzling SUVs back when US gasoline prices were around $3 a gallon. Late last year, cars like the Prius were in such short supply that buyers would have to wait months or pay premiums to guarantee delivery.

The low gas prices are not the only threat to hybrid vehicles, new ultra-efficient diesel models, some of which achieve better mileage than their hybrid counterparts, are starting to enter the US market and are growing in popularity.


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1970toyotamarc - 2/8/2007 3:02:31 PM

+6 Boost

Oil is till adound $60 a barrel. Hybrid sales were up in January. Toyota is offereing an attractive lease on a car now in its 4th year in an effort not to stem a sales freefall, but to increase yearly sales from 100K to 150K. But none of that matters to hybrid haters, who will continue to yell the sky is falling until someone believes them.

MercBasher - 2/8/2007 3:32:46 PM

+4 Boost

Agree, Agent 009's choice of material and biases are becoming rather obvious. At least I don't pretend to be neutral!

Agent009 - 2/8/2007 3:41:48 PM

+2 Boost

It is just part of a sales pattern, but can you connect the dots and determine the root cause?

I really don't have a personal bias against Hybrids. You can scan the article content on this site over and over and see that there are more pro hybrid than con by me. I simply am bringing up a point and showing all sides of the issues. I post all sides only to be fair.

bubbahotep - 2/8/2007 3:25:27 PM

-1 Boost

The reason most don't by hybrids is because you can't justify the increase in price of the vehicle as to how much you are saving on gas....

Agent009 - 2/8/2007 3:42:55 PM

0 Boost

That probably is an accurate and objective assessment.

GS450h - 2/8/2007 4:54:38 PM

0 Boost

The gen 2 Prius has been out for a while now. to keep the sales up they are having to discount a bit. I bet most dealers budge from MSRP on the Camry and GS hybrids.

GS450h - 2/8/2007 4:55:26 PM

0 Boost

I meant most dealers DON'T bundge from msrp.

hkaudi - 2/8/2007 5:46:20 PM

+1 Boost

"A recent drop in world oil prices has made motorists in the US less concerned about buying ultra fuel-efficient vehicles"? Wat?! I think HUMMER H2 are still a hard sell!!

Oil price will cont. to surge....... !! Bluetec and Hydrogen will be the new future alternative

mitchatlexusofmarin - 2/8/2007 8:17:21 PM

+3 Boost

Nope- we have one left in stock and people calling everyday looking for one. (be sure to de boost me for this, like everything else I say)

mobiustech - 2/8/2007 10:08:28 PM

0 Boost

Hybrids are a trend like anything else that is hyped by the media. Lenardo, Oprah, Elmo purchase one and it's on like Donkey Kong. Bashing the oil companies and Escalade pushers and you have a modern day witchhunt. Recently, OPEC and Iran stated that there was an oil "glut" in the market ( just look at the unusually warm winter we have had) and this spells a doomsday for petrol pushers. People know what they want. If its Peterbuilts then they will find a way to accomidate the need. Hell even Al Gore trips in jets around the globe to push his book. "Everyone have cake"....

Lexus - 2/9/2007 12:20:28 AM

+1 Boost

Maybe you should go and warn the VW group about this Agent 009. Because they are planning to built hybrid too. Every year the demand for fuel get higher and higher. That the reason why hybrid, diesel, hydrogen fuel cell come into play.

Lexus

Agent009 - 2/9/2007 9:04:28 AM

+2 Boost

Well we will see what the price point is. A Hybrid can actually save you money if the price is right. This is a "Monkey See Monkey Do" Market and if VW prices it too high (or for the matter of fact the new Q7 Hybrid too), they will be subjected to the same scrutiny.

Actually looking at diesels you may see the same disadvantage and feasiblilty issues.

Matthew1 - 2/9/2007 1:56:55 AM

+2 Boost

Go ride a bike to work if you are so worried.

I'll just continue to enjoy my car until it becomes financially (or otherwise) impossible to do so on regular petrol!

bagwell - 2/16/2007 8:29:17 AM

+1 Boost

I wish I could ride my bike to work!! if they had bike lanes I would -- even tho its 20 miles -- but until then, I'll drive my Prius at 60mpg!!

XYZZ - 2/9/2007 5:26:47 AM

+2 Boost

there was a story on this tonite on Marketplace.

toyota has increased capacity for building hybrids, and wants to MAKE USE OF IT.

it was recognized that the pool of buyers who are primarily green oriented, ALREADY have hybrids, and further increases will only come slowly. so now toyota wants to have hybrids attractive to EVERYBODY! hence, the incentives. (and isn't this a great goal anyway?)

further, they had stated an intention to sell 100,000 hybrids a year. toyota USUALLY hits whatever goals they set. even if it means "less" profits. (as if they couldn't afford this!)

Agent009 - 2/9/2007 9:15:37 AM

+2 Boost

They are positioning themselves to drive the market by paying off thier technology and reducing the price point. a very smart move.

Sunshine1810 - 2/9/2007 7:28:31 AM

+1 Boost

I don't think so. My mother just bought a 2007 Lexus RX400h.

bagwell - 2/16/2007 8:30:50 AM

+1 Boost

what???!!?!!? you know the batteries have like an 8 year 100K warranty RIGHT???

Kostin - 2/9/2007 11:37:31 AM

0 Boost

Hydrogen is the future.A real accomplishment in environment protection.Hybrid cars represent a step forward but not enough.Imagine how it would be to drive a car that does not pollute at all.

5MTenthus - 2/9/2007 5:25:40 PM

+1 Boost

Hydrogen is a pretty convincing viable technology for the future. Conventional electric cars have not been forgotten by Honda, however: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0702_honda_fcx_concept

Westside7th - 2/10/2007 1:01:07 AM

+1 Boost

Hybrids are a joke. They are just an excuse for car companies to keep making gas-consuming cars. They were an excuse used to justify getting rid of the electric cars like the EV-1. They hardly justify the increase in cost and have hardly an impact on the enviornment. Let's go back to electric or hurry up to hydrogen.

bagwell - 2/16/2007 8:32:59 AM

+1 Boost

Hybrids are not suppposed to be nor have they claimed to be THE SOLUTION, just a damn good intermediate step before hydrogen.

Rupert - 2/11/2007 6:21:53 PM

+1 Boost

most diesels?
all 2 of them? the 5.0tdi and the 6.0 v12 tdi? what planet are you on?
don't forget the ls600h, rx400h, gs 450h, highlander hybrid, they all have engines of 3 litres +.

2JZSoarer - 2/12/2007 12:56:13 AM

+2 Boost

I work for a Toyota dealer and I would say that the Prius is not sell as well as before,because they offer more models like the Camry and Highlander in a hybrid version..

XYZZ - 2/14/2007 4:52:00 AM

+1 Boost

hybrids are NOW.

plug-in hybrids the FUTURE.

hydrogen is a scam. an excuse by some makers to divert attention and development $$$ away.

hydroden is NOT an energy source, only a way to STORE it, like batteries. it COSTS in energy to process and store h2. there are energy losses converting it back to electricity and mechanical motion.

hydrogen will COST MORE in energy than it will EVER return.

bagwell - 2/16/2007 8:36:31 AM

+1 Boost

interesting, but hybrids need to be taken to the next step.....higher capacity batteries, solar panels on the roof to be more of an electric car with the gas engine only as a backup.

XYZZ - 2/21/2007 5:18:43 AM

+1 Boost

agreed. that's why i said PLUG-IN Hybrids are the next step. solar paneled roofs and other surfaces are also good.

as are ALL alternative power sources feeding into the grid, so the energy charging plug-ins' batteries do not create MORE co2 from coal and other petrofueled power plants.

(these can also be used to MAKE hydrogen thru electrolsis, but why bother? as i said, hydrogen cars will be net energy LOSERS.)