JD Power Says Interest In Hybrids Waining? But Lexus Ramps Up Volume Anyway

If anyone can succeed with expanding hybrid share it will be Lexus.

those hybrids have to look different than the nonhybrids, a tiny h won't do

The whole point of Lexus hybrids is that they don't look "different" than non-hybrid cars.

you also have the blue hues in the L logos and the hybrid badges everywhere...that are blue...lol

oh and also they dont look the same. headlights/fog lights, rims, and little interior bits are usually there.

Hybrid technology is a FAD. Period. The technology does not address (nor do the manufacturers of such cars) the future impact on the environment they claim they are trying to improve. Has anyone read how much raw material is used to create just one battery? Then what about disposal? The fuel savings with Hybrid technology does not justify the increased expenditure in industrial waste. To accomplish that, the vehicles would need to attain appr. 70mpg to offset the increase in the industrial waste.

Cmon people, surely you see this.

Hybrid technology is not a FAD. It is but one answer to an apparently growing concern for our environment. It takes an incredible amount of raw materials to produce just about everything concerning automobiles anyway, why not strive to produce something more environmentally-conscious while we're at it?

What everybody also likes to leave out of hybrid discussions is that they emit less CO2 and other chemicals than most other gasoline and diesel cars. That's reason enough to put more interest and research/development into the technology.

Incidentally, I am not a fan of any particular brand--I just like cars.

It seems as if the prediction of Lexus having a hybrid variant of each and every one of their cars is becoming increasingly feasible.

I have to agree with you there, Their investment in the technology is allowing them to produce it cheaper and across a wide range of applications.

hybrids like the prius were revolutionary in technological terms. more importantly, cars like the prius and civic hybrid actually got dramatically improved gas mileage. this is what hybrids are known for and what people want. furthermore, gas mileage is the most important factor influencing a car's impact on global warming.

but lexus fucked up. they made hybrids that got poor mileage. LS600 at 20mpg. RX at 25mpg. lexus violated what hybrids are known for. and as a result, they've confused people and diminished interest in hybrid vehicles.

people buying lexus hybrids are posers of the highest order. they want everyone to think they're doing the right thing. in fact, they care so little about environmental impact that they would drive a 5,000 pound car that gets 20mpg. sad. truly sad.

just ask a prius driver what he/she thinks about a car that gets 20mpg. they'll likely bite your head off.

"furthermore, gas mileage is the most important factor influencing a car's impact on global warming."

No it isn't. Seeing as the rest of your statements are based on this, and a misunderstanding of the idea behind Lexus hybrids your remarks are meaningless.

Lexus didn't "violate" what hybrids are known for, they CHANGED it. No longer are hybrids just slow compact economy cars, they're also luxurious sedans and SUVs. With Lexus hybrids, the electricity is simply a different means of a boost of power that is more eco-conscious than adding more cylinders. I realize this is complex to understand, but someone other than me must...

"just ask a prius driver what he/she thinks about a car that gets 20mpg. they'll likely bite your head off."

After you get their response, explain to them all the other attributes of the LS600hL including its weight, and list of options. Don't just throw a misleading opinion poll-type question at them.

The Prius has a 1.5 litre engine. It consumes no less fuel than a car with a 1.5 litre engine w/o hybrid "technology". The great trick Toyota pulled was getting Americanos into vehicles with tiny engines at a very significant "market price adjustment"...

Markets where small engine cars are the standard (which is almost everywhere outside the US) have difficulty digesting the huge premium Toyota charges for the hybrid. Check out hybrid sales in Japan, Brazil or Europe.

The RX and the LSh consumes similarly to (an otherwise indeed high tech) gasoline counterpart, this explains the difficulty in those segments.

As consumers realize this ploy, the demand will cool off. No wonder Prius fleet sales started in 2007. Honda launches US diesel cars in 2009 - I am really curious what will happen then.

I'm a Prius driver, and I think it is awesome to give buyers in this class of vehicles a more earth friendly option. If I ever leave the non-profit sector, I would like to know that I could upgrade my Prius into a luxury vehicle that still has some green credentials.

And to JWalker, what other 1.5L compares? The Prius is mid-sized family sedan, not the size of a Polo. It also has a comfortable interior, decent performance, and luxury touches. This argument comparing Prius to tiny econo-boxes is so played out. You must be really knew to this.

You have no basic understanding of a gas-electric hybrid vehicle then. A 1.5L engine with an electric motor that shuts off the engine when braking/stopping/traveling at low speeds consumes less fuel than a 1.5L engine without the same setup. I can't even think of a specific 1.5L engine car sold in North America besides the Prius specifically, but the Mini has a 1.6L and has an EPA-estimated 27/36 mpg rating. The Prius has a rating of 45/48.

Lexus isnt using the hybrid thing to save the world. THey are using it to increase horsepower without increasing pollutants with a larger engine.

Yes!

Short and simple.

why would one INCREASE horsepower (which means more oil consumed) if you're attempting to be 'green'?

are you slow? you dont use more oil if you use battery power to increase the horsepower.

its not meant for hippies. its meant for rich people who dont want to harm the environment anymore than he/she has to.

JD Powers is clearly wrong in this case. Lexus can hardly keep up with the demand for their hybrids.