i also imagine there was only one person in the vehicle for their daily commute to work and back to boot.
Tahoe hybrid gets about 1-2 mpg better than non-hybrid version. Can't rationalize that purchase. I already own the non-hybrid version and don't drive it very much. A new hybrid runs about $52k. You can have 2 Prii for that and still haul 8 people...LOL!
That's completely untrue.... first of all, their Hybrid was only just released last month so there's no case of them "not selling"... they're BRAND NEW and never available til now... next... the mileage is considerably better than the regular version, I believe they quote 60%... I read several online reviews that netted 20-21 mpg real world, and one of those was while towing a full size trailer (RV)... And who cares if someone is HOV or not? Believe it or not people have real world needs (towing being one of them) that a Prius simply can't match. Even though I own a prius and love it, I would consider the Tahoe... I'd also consider buying a regular fueled tahoe or suburban to move things around, tow with if I could get it at a fire sale price ... that would more than make up for the cost of fuel.
I drove by one of these a few days ago as well. It was sitting on a GM dealership lot, next to all its big unsellable non-hybrid friends. The dealer had even pulled it out a bit on the grass so everyone driving by could see it, as if they were trying to say "Hey! We have hybrids too! Honest! Wait, come back! Don't drive aw.... "
Two-Mode production began October 29, 2007. 655 were sold the first quarter of 2008. What are you claiming? .
First, is it really a "need"? Or is it for towing a toy (RV, boat, etc)? Second, if it is a valid need, how often is it needed, vs how often the vehicle will be used for a single-passenger commuter? Third, if it is a valid need, how much tow capacity do you need? The Highlander Hybrid is rated for 5000lbs, yet still gets 30mpg (real-life experience from an owner). And you can get a HiHy for about 35k USD, vs 50k USD for the Tahoe. (Some of this is the fault of GM for positioning the Tahoe Hybrid towards the top of the trim levels; that tends to exclude the "blue collar" working types who would actually use that towing capacity on a regular basis. Instead, it's relegated to rich folks who tow their toys one weekend a month, commuting solo the rest of the time. Yay.)
Where I work, roughly 40% of the vehicles in the parking lot are pickup trucks and SUVs. These are all driven to work with 1 person in them and minimal cargo (usually just the driver's lunch). So, 5 days a week, they're not towing anything. I can see the utility for having a truck to use on the 6 days a year when you need to move something big or...pave your driveway or something, but as a daily commuter car it's silly.
and who are any of you to tell people they can't drive an SUV to work? I don't commute with anyone... I also happen to own half a dozen motorcycles... I own several other cars as well. I drive them when I want... that's my choice... is this the dawn of a new Soviet Union? You';ll tell everyone what they can drive and when, and on what day? Gimmee a break. Reading this makes me want to buy a Hummer.
I agree. That's why there's U-Haul. If you need to tow something, rent the dang $20 van for the day and move all the crap you need to. I do it all the time and it has saves me $52,000 over the lame Hybrid Tahoe that's for sale. To me, it was a marketing gimmick from the beginning coming from the GM "geniuses" in Detroit. They are just trying to cash in on the "going green is soooooo cool now" factor. To hell with American Hybrid crap cars rolling off the line. They're a day late and a dollar short.
Oh, I'm not saying that they can't drive an SUV. But I am free to think that they're silly, especially when they're the same people who complain daily about gas prices.
First, is it really a "need"? Or is it for towing a toy (RV, boat, etc)? I have needs and one of them is to wakeboard as much as possible! I could leave my boat at the marina and pay dock fees and gas from the marina, typically $2 bucks/gallon more then in town or I could have a big arse truck and tow my boat. A Highlander Hybrid and it's 5000lb limit just isn't enough to meet my needs. I understand my boat is a toy, but I just can't grow up! I still need my toys and enjoy having toys! Don't take life so serious cause one day it will be over. I guess it is hard for me to understand how people can be so pissed because someone drives a different car, has toys, commutes alone, whatever.
By all means go down to your dealer and check them out. They'll be thrilled to see you. They'd be thrilled to see anyone! And if it suits your "needs" I'm sure they'll have just what you want available immediately. Please let us know the great MPG you get on that daily commute. Actually, we're lucky enough to have a Hummer dealer within a couple of miles of our residence. I've been tempted to drive over there with my Prius and see what kind of trade-in deal we could work out. Just to see the looks on their faces - PRICELESS! And yes, we have taken a turn toward reducing individual freedoms in this country. It's called the Patriot Act.