But hybrids aren't profitable......
How much money does Honda lose on each hybrid?$0.00.
That's how much Honda loses on each hybrid it sells. In fact, the other day I read that both Honda and Toyota make about a $3,000 profit on each hybrid sold.
Of course, that doesn't include all R&D costs, especially on Honda's hybrids since Honda hasn't sold nearly as many hybrid cars as Toyota. Now that Toyota has sold well over a million hybrids, however, development costs have probably been recovered.
Yet, not one US automaker has a solid Insight or Prius contender. When will they? Ever?
Within the next five years I'd bet gas prices will be about $3.00 - $4.00 per gallon, a price that could make hybrid cars like the Insight and Prius two of the top selling vehicles in America.
What will the Big 3 have?
Labels: honda insight hybrid, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
7:21 AM
11 Comments:
That means: hybrid will be much cheaper soon! I think additional 2-3 grands down and many people will be buying them even with gas prices of 2$ per gallon.
I totally agree. Still, I think gas prices will naturally be supportive of hybrids within the next few years.
Honda and Toyota are prepared. Is anyone else?
Yes, may be not this year, but within 1-2 years we almost certainly will see $4 per gallon. The others are not prepared, they will *HAVE* to change.
At todays market price for a barrel of oil, gas should be at around 1.35 a gallon. Why is it going above 2.oo a gallon ? Because the Oil companies who own the refineries...have intentionally shut down refining production that why.
That conspiracy being said, I agree its not totally a bad thing, as gas must be at least 2.50+ gallon for hybrids to sell(and eventually help kill the evil twin of energy -oil giants)
For me WAITING is by far the best thing I can do as every couple months another manufacturer is going to come out with a very nice well priced hybrid to compete with current (in my opinion) way too high for average consumer priced hybrids of today.
I dont know how much car magazine writers get for a living, but one would believe that anything below 30k drive out price for a hybrid is a 'steal'! They obviously still have a job.
For many the best way to beat the price is to wait a year and purchase a USED well equipped/in warranty Prius II coming out this spring. I can imagine it for great price- one owner low mileage for around 17500! wow and 51 MPG on hwy to boot! yea :)
I'm with you on hybrid pricing. I think the Fusion and Camry hybrids, for instance, are too expensive today for most consumers.
The new Insight and Prius, however, are getting really close to being priced fairly.
Still, if you don't have to have a car right now, waiting is a great idea.
If anyone really wants to kill the "evil twin" (energy + oil companies) then buying a hybrid now is a good way to hasten the demise. The only real power consumers have over suppliers is to decrease demand by purchasing less. Those of you who are waiting to buy a hybrid until the prices drop by 10% are actually prolonging the period during which oil companies have uncontrolled ability to manipulate energy prices.
that's certainly a valid point. still, most studies indicate that the internal combustion engine is going to be around for several more decades.
thus, not everyone is going to buy a hybrid or EV. therefore, if someone is buying a relatively efficient econo car versus a hybrid. that's much better than buying a guzzler versus a hybrid.
I really love Hybrids because less gas and produce less pollution per mile than conventional gasoline engines.
Honda and Toyota may have 3k profit in their hybrids AT THE END OF THE WORLD. Profit directly to the manufacturer. A dealer makes a thousand dollars off of a Honda Insight at net, net, net.....net.
Doesn't really matter if they make much money on hybrids right now or not. They are positioning themselves for the future, and this is where the future is headed.
Even if it wasn't, these auto companies are smart hedge their risk by producing these cars right now or they'll be left behind if it is indeed the future of cars.
toyota might not be making much in profits today, but they continue to scale. eventually profits, or more profitability, is inevitable.
the prius has paved the patent foundation for toyota hybrids, EVs and fuel cell vehicles.
one way or another toyota's investments into hybrid vehicles - even if just an interim technology - will more than pay for themselves.
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