Where are the American-made hybrid trucks?
Japan dominates hybrids, especially hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Accord hybrid. Ford has the Escape hybrid - developed upon Toyota hybrid technology - the only hybrid SUV on the market, but that is temporary.
In just about a month, the Lexus RX400h hybrid will hit the streets, followed this summer by the Toyota Highlander hybrid, the first real competitor of the Escape hybrid.
While Ford and GM have dominated the SUV market, the Lexus and Highlander hybrid SUVs are going to provide real buzz for Toyota SUVs.
The most important American segment, unaffected by hybrids, is trucks. Yet, what could be more American than a hybrid truck?
Fuel efficient, environmentally friendly, top performing hybrid trucks - what are American auto-makers waiting for? Unfortunately, the first full hybrid trucks will probably not come to market for at least 2 to 3 more years, and I bet the first will be a Toyota.
Is this American technological leadership? The environment and foreign oil dependency just don't matter until fuel cell cars - even if their development takes 2 or 3, maybe even more, decades?
That doesn't seem very American to me.
In just about a month, the Lexus RX400h hybrid will hit the streets, followed this summer by the Toyota Highlander hybrid, the first real competitor of the Escape hybrid.
While Ford and GM have dominated the SUV market, the Lexus and Highlander hybrid SUVs are going to provide real buzz for Toyota SUVs.
The most important American segment, unaffected by hybrids, is trucks. Yet, what could be more American than a hybrid truck?
Fuel efficient, environmentally friendly, top performing hybrid trucks - what are American auto-makers waiting for? Unfortunately, the first full hybrid trucks will probably not come to market for at least 2 to 3 more years, and I bet the first will be a Toyota.
Is this American technological leadership? The environment and foreign oil dependency just don't matter until fuel cell cars - even if their development takes 2 or 3, maybe even more, decades?
That doesn't seem very American to me.
Labels: Accord hybrid, Escape hybrid, Ford, Ford Escape hybrid, Foreign Oil Dependency, GM, Highlander hybrid, Honda, hybrid trucks, Hybrid Vehicles, Lexus hybrid, prius, toyota
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:08 AM
1 Comments:
I test drove a 2004 (admittedly limited production, but defanitely for sale to the public) chevy silverado 3/4 ton pickup truck. Yes, they do exist, though unfortunately the 2004/2005 models are not available here in the midwest. No, they don't get the same kind of mileage as other hybrids on the market, but even the biggest hybrid suvs out there are worthless for towing a trailer. The silverado hybrid is an excellent compromise, lets just hope gm doesn't drop the ball for a change.
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