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Diesels set to outsell hybrids in U.S., report says

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Tideland Prius, May 27, 2007.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Detroit, Michigan - A report published by international technology provider Ricardo says that diesels are poised to outsell hybrids in the U.S. by 2012. The company says that amid concerns for energy security and greenhouse gas emissions, it expects combined annual diesel and hybrid gasoline vehicles in the U.S. to reach 2.7 million by 2012.

    The report, "Is diesel set to boom in the US?", says that hybrid gasoline technology appears to be the preferred route in the country, "not least due to its attraction as a visible badge of green awareness amongst higher income purchasers," the company says in a release. However, while many OEMs plan to launch hybrid products in the next few years, the report says that the technology faces substantial manufacturing cost penalties, which are "unlikely to be eroded even in mass production." Diesel has a clear cost advantage over hybrids, even when fitted with complex exhaust after-treatment technologies necessary to meet future stringent emissions regulations.

    Ricardo forecasts that combined diesel and hybrid gasoline will represent 15 per cent of the U.S. light vehicle market by 2012, but that diesel sales will reach 1.5 million units, compared to 1.2 million hybrids.

    Source: CanadianDriver



    I guess we'll find out if he's right in 2 years when the new Prius comes out. Remember to ask if the costs have been reduced thanks to mass production and advancement in technology.
     
  2. EricGo

    EricGo New Member

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    Diesel as the cure for global warming, eh ? NOT
    As a solution to energy independence, not even close.

    The author may have mixed up his blurbs about biodiesel -- perfect in the Canadian winter.

    I'd say it is safe to ignore this fellow's predictions.
     
  3. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EricGo @ May 28 2007, 01:47 AM) [snapback]450933[/snapback]</div>
    Sadly, support of disappointing emissions is alive & well. I chose not to ignore. The following is my response to... "I am constantly told how much better the Hybrid is for the environment at 32 mpg than the Pontiac that sits in the laneway, at the same 32 mpg. They use almost identical amounts of fuel, so why is the Hybrid *better* ?" ...posted on another forum in a thread discussing this very same article.


    Consider the emission rating.

    "Tier-2 Bin-5" is the basic minimum. Diesel strive to just meet that criteria.

    "ULEV" is cleaner. Many popular vehicles deliver it.

    "SULEV" is even cleaner, and the duration criteria is even longer.

    "PZEV" is the best for any vehicle with an engine. It's the cleanest for the longest.

    None of those ratings have any relation at all to MPG.

    - - - - - - -

    Needless to say, some weren't happy to see that information.
     
  4. Swampthing

    Swampthing Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 27 2007, 02:31 AM) [snapback]450720[/snapback]</div>
    The myth of the overpriced hybrid never ceases to amaze me. People forget about all the extra features you get in a Prius that don't normally come in a mid-size car, and try to compare a base model against it. I've always told people... if you really want to compare actual cost, take any mid-size car and install all of these features: full graphical navigation system, graphical maintenance system alerts, voice command system, air bags all over, rear wiper and rear defrost, adjustable tilt steering wheel, nine speaker stereo system, fog lights, rear camera, intermittent wipers, keyless entry/driving, etc. Oh... and the car you are comparing against the Prius must also be a four door automatic transmission model with the same amount of cabin space as a Prius, and trunk space equal to a Prius. And one more thing, with all these features, the car still has to be rated above 50+ mpg for highway and city driving.

    Now take these two cars, and put them side by side. I am willing to bet you the sticker shock you get when looking at the price on the non-hybrid car will send you into a coma, while you get all of this on a Prius for under $28K.

    Does going hybrid cost more? NO... you actually get MORE features in Prius for far less than what you would pay for the same features in a non-hybrid car. But I'm preaching to the choir here... ;)
     
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swampthing @ May 29 2007, 03:30 AM) [snapback]451379[/snapback]</div>
    yepyep. I gave a friend of mine a ride home yesterday. The first thing he said when he sat inside was "hmm.. it's deceptively big"