WSJ on Consumer New Car Plans

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(genalex @ Sep 11 2006, 11:04 PM) [snapback]318135[/snapback]</div>

Seems the consumers are thinking Prius, not Lexus 450h, when they think of a hybrid. Which explains why the HCH and Prius are not sitting on dealer lots, but the higher-end power-oriented hybrids are. I like the line that I highlighted. Shows you the disconnect between the old way of thinking and the new reality.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(genalex @ Sep 12 2006, 12:04 AM) [snapback]318135[/snapback]</div>

A better comparison would have been the hybrid Camry to the non-hybrid Camry.

 

PHEV Prii to the rescue (2009)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(genalex @ Sep 12 2006, 12:04 PM) [snapback]318135[/snapback]</div>

55 mpg highway isn't an unrealistic number. I got 52 mpg on a 2000 mile roundtrip to California in my Prius when it was new, averaging about 60 mph. As my "Prius skills" got better, I've hit more than 55 mpg, but a lot depends on conditions beyond my control, such as outside temp, wind, etc.

I think it's great news that Detroit, and the American driving public, are getting the message. To interject some politics if I may: I see the trend as suggesting a very gradual movement away from some of the more conservative social beliefs that have dominated our political landscape, including a lack of concern or awareness of environmental issues. Maybe I'm reading too much into the WSJ piece, but I think what American consumer buys (or not) reflects how he or she views the world and his or her responsibility to it. People bought huge cars when there was a free-wheeling, devil-may-care attitude about consumerism and its deleterious effects on the planet. Then again it's probably a simple case of high gas prices rather than a change of consciousness, but I like to think/hope that at some "herd instinct" level, we are beginning to respond to the global situation.

I read somewhere that elk stop breeding when the food supply is diminished.

Bob

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bob Allen @ Sep 13 2006, 12:25 PM) [snapback]319008[/snapback]</div>

When food gets scarce tadpoles eat each other. The future has something in it for everyone to dislike.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nerfer @ Sep 12 2006, 12:22 PM) [snapback]318450[/snapback]</div>

Seems to me that the consumers really don't understand the hybrid tradeoffs. They may say they expect 28 MPG better with a hybrid in the same car, and that may not unrealistic if they are willing to compromise on performance.

What? Are you going to say that hyrbids can give great performance? Yes they can, but you probably are not to going to increase performance and double gas mileage (which appears to be the mileage increase people think they should expect) with the hybrids that are available now. It also looks like they expect to pay a $5000-$6000 premium for a hybrid in the same car. I don't think it would cost that much in the average family car.

A 9-10MPG improvement and reduced emission, with the same or better performance, at a premium of only a couple of grand - Sound likes the Highlander or Camry and it's a good deal. It's going to take a while for people to figure that out.

I think Ford has blown it by basially giving up on Hybrids in favor of focusing on ethanol. Nothing wrong with ethanol... if you burn it in a hybrid. Really looks like another strategic blunder. GM and Chrsyler, on the other hand, appear to be ready to start rolling out the hybrids. Trucks and SUV are going to be where I think they will start seeing the most success.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bob Allen @ Sep 13 2006, 02:25 PM) [snapback]319008[/snapback]</div>

Hi Bob,

Well, the "Conservatives" do not believe in conservation of natural resources is the conservative way of thinking. But disregard for natural resources and poor stewardship of nature really is a perversion of conservative ideology. I think the modern "Conservatives" did this to curry politcal favor in the west, which resulted in a political majority. There really is very little ideologically "Conservative" about these politicians these days that call themselves "Conservative".

The politcal concept of Conservatism is to promote the future to be the same as the past, that is to Conserve the politcal situation. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism . But disregard for nature will eventually result in a different future, for which people who have prospered from the enviorment as it is, will not prosper in the future. This is the ultimate radicalism. But its practiced by the socalled "Conservatives" everyday in the USA.