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August 04, 2005

Toyota's First Big Blunder? « Car Issues »

10 new hybrid models rolled out, and they announce intentions to have hybrids make up 25% of their vehicles sold.

This could be a mistake because hybrids aren't anywhere near as good on gas as touted. The lifetime use of a hybrid is also still unknown...a horrible resale value because hybrids turn out to be a disposable car (not worth the cost to replace the hybrid components) wouldn't be good for sales, and would be horrible for the environment.

Which is mistake number two: with consumer awareness rising as to hybrids not meeting gas mileage expectations, but with the company already committed to producing hybrids (having gambled on it being the Next Big Thing), they have to point to a reason, and they seem to have seized upon "It's for the environment!" But I think with all the chemicals involved in producing batteries, a hybrid probably isn't all that environment-friendly, and if more information on that drifts throughout the car community, Toyota may have a boondoggle on their hands.

I admit it: I wanted a hybrid based on their claims. But I waited, because new technology is often buggy. With the information coming out over the last year, I'm glad I waited.

Posted by Nathan at 09:47 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Two things:
1) The automaker is "planning" to sell 25% hybrids. This means that they will try to ramp up to that amount. If they are getting from 1% to 2 and then 3% and their sales aren't removing them from the lot then I'm sure they'll ramp back down. Right now though they have demand for the Prius.

2) The American public is smart so far generally. Only the .1% of the public buying the Prius's are the ones shelling out thousands more for a compact car than compact cars "usually" sell for. Granted there are some gains in fuel efficiency, but the fuel efficiency of the Toyota Corolla which has similar cubic feet of interior space is not that much less. If you take the DIFFERENCE between the actually "ACHIEVED" Prius mileage versus teh Corolla you may see that you'll NEVER actually save any money.

Honda has it part right. They have the Civic and Accord with the almost same gas engine (don't need to worry about the electric failing - yes electric components degrade over time) with an additional hybrid system. This adds fuel efficiency (a few miles per gallon) and IMPROVED 0-60 time/power. Unfortunately, where Honda has it wrong is the COST of these vehicles are too high and therefore the fuel savings will never actually save anyone money....

Posted by: Baklav a at August 5, 2005 02:10 PM

I overheard the gas station attendant at Farm Crest (he has a hybrid), talking to a customer about the car. He does like it quite a bit. He was talking about getting some big tax breaks for buying the car. I don't remember the exact tax break, but he was going to save a lot in taxes in the next 10 years. Apparently enough to make it well worth the price.

Posted by: Ryan Scott at August 7, 2005 09:20 PM
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