Full tax credit for Toyota hybrids is over

Happy October. Unfortunately, October means that the full hybrid tax credit for Toyota hybrid vehicles is now expired. Now, any Toyota hybrid purchase will only qualify for half the credit. So, how will this affect Toyota hybrid sales?

If the goal of tax credits for hybrid cars was meant to change consumer behavior, why was the credit capped by manufacturer? Shouldn't getting as many hybrids on the road as quickly as possible be the main goal? Shouldn't the credit be consumer-driven, not manufacturer-driver?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if GM was leading U.S. hybrid sales with the Prius, rather than Toyota, I doubt the legislation would have been written the same. Unfortunately, GM is still more focused on new Hummers rather than new hybrids.

Why are hybrid credits sitting idle when consumers can use them NOW? Is this free market capitalism?