Toyota's 10 new hybrids and their critics
Yesterday, several newspapers ran articles updating the fact that Toyota wants to sell 1,000,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide next decade and that it was working on 10 new hybrids. Really, this isn't new news. Toyota has been saying this for a few years, but I guess people are actually starting to believe them now.
Still, there is incredible hybrid hate in the automotive world. Critics chime that hybrids aren't as efficient as EPA numbers. Of course, essentially all cars aren't as efficient as the EPA suggests - many are actually 35% less fuel efficient than EPA estimates. Of course these critics never acknowledge that fact. For an example, read my post NYTimes Rips Lexus RX400h hybrid.
These critics act as if hybrid technology's potential has been tapped out, when it is only just emerging. Obviously these critics probably thought computers, cell phones, e-mail, and the Internet were also hype.
Nonetheless, Toyota definitely faces an uphill battle. Even though gas prices continue to rise, the cost difference between hybrids and conventional vehicles is a difficult barrier for the average car buyer to overcome. That's why the Toyota Prius has been so successful, it's unique and buyers can't compare the price to a conventional Prius.
Hybrid vehicles, such as the Ford Escape hybrid or the Toyota Highlander hybrid, will always have limited sales potential, even if it only takes 3 years to recover the additional costs versus a conventional Escape or Highlander. Americans just don't have patience or long term vision.
Ultimately, a couple of those 10 new hybrids must be unique vehicles, or the price gap must be made significantly smaller, for Toyota to achieve its goals. Of course, if gas prices continue to rise, all bets are off, and forecasts of 25% of the market might turn into 50% of the market.
I wonder, are hybrid critics more content with the Big 3's fuel efficiency developments. HMMM?
For more on hybrid cars and the EPA, read Hybrid cars and EPA estimates: This is War
Still, there is incredible hybrid hate in the automotive world. Critics chime that hybrids aren't as efficient as EPA numbers. Of course, essentially all cars aren't as efficient as the EPA suggests - many are actually 35% less fuel efficient than EPA estimates. Of course these critics never acknowledge that fact. For an example, read my post NYTimes Rips Lexus RX400h hybrid.
These critics act as if hybrid technology's potential has been tapped out, when it is only just emerging. Obviously these critics probably thought computers, cell phones, e-mail, and the Internet were also hype.
Nonetheless, Toyota definitely faces an uphill battle. Even though gas prices continue to rise, the cost difference between hybrids and conventional vehicles is a difficult barrier for the average car buyer to overcome. That's why the Toyota Prius has been so successful, it's unique and buyers can't compare the price to a conventional Prius.
Hybrid vehicles, such as the Ford Escape hybrid or the Toyota Highlander hybrid, will always have limited sales potential, even if it only takes 3 years to recover the additional costs versus a conventional Escape or Highlander. Americans just don't have patience or long term vision.
Ultimately, a couple of those 10 new hybrids must be unique vehicles, or the price gap must be made significantly smaller, for Toyota to achieve its goals. Of course, if gas prices continue to rise, all bets are off, and forecasts of 25% of the market might turn into 50% of the market.
I wonder, are hybrid critics more content with the Big 3's fuel efficiency developments. HMMM?
For more on hybrid cars and the EPA, read Hybrid cars and EPA estimates: This is War
Labels: Escape hybrid, Ford, Ford Escape hybrid, fuel efficiency, Highlander hybrid, Hybrid Vehicles, Lexus hybrid, prius, toyota
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:28 AM
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