CNBC Powerlunch: GM's hybrid sales are a green barometer?
GM's wildly popular mild hybrid?I'm a big fan of CNBC. In fact, it's probably my favorite TV station, even though they have an obvious Wall Street perspective - which often means a conservative, Republican slant. Still, I think overall, they usually keep this slant in check.
Nonetheless, the silliness that sometimes oozes from the mouths of some of the CNBC talent is disappointing - usually from the mouth of Caruso-Cabrera. For instance, a few minutes ago, PowerLunch used GM's hybrid vehicle sales to point out that green vehicles aren't a good direction for the US auto industry.
Are you kidding me? Since when has GM been a hybrid leader? A green vehicle leader? How could any intelligent person suggest that GM is a hybrid potential barometer?
Today, the majority of hybrid owners buy hybrid cars, especially the Toyota Prius, because they want to do something for the environment. They want to fight global warming. These buyers are willing to pay extra to stand up for their beliefs and convictions.
Most important, these people would never buy a huge SUV, even if it is a hybrid, such as the Chevy Tahoe hybrid. 20 mpg just doesn't cut if for most of today's hybrid buyers.
Aside from GM's large hybrids, GM also offers a few mild hybrid vehicles that offer a mile or two per gallon more than their conventional counterparts. Again, that's not much of a statement, is it? If GM was a real hybrid player, they'd have a Prius competitor. They don't. End of story.
Yet the Powerlunch crew believes that GM's hybrid sales are a good barometer of green vehicle potential? Can they really be that clueless?
Labels: GM, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
11:01 AM
5 Comments:
I was wondering how the Prius is going to fare in the rankings this year for vehicle's sold? Will they be top 10 for all vehicles sold? I know you keep up on the sales numbers. Do we know yet how the Insight is doing?
Love the post. Really useful, thanks!
Zendude-
I've been following the Prius numbers but not the top 10 cars, although i'm certain the Prius isn't on the list. The new Prius, however, seems like it has a solid chance to make the list next year, even without the $4.00 gas prices that pushed the Prius onto the list in 2008.
In terms of the Insight, I haven't yet looked at May's numbers, but Insight sales have been low, relatively speaking. Some Insight sales have been lost to the Civic hybrid, as dealers have been much more willing to make bargains on these hybrids compared to the Insight.
I'll be checking out the numbers tonight and should have a post on them later, or by tomorrow.
Yeah I was asking about the new Prius since they have presold so many. I'll wait for your post later about the numbers. Thanks!
i haven't seen the breakdown of presale numbers, but from what i've read it seems a good number of the pre-orders included japanese orders.
right now japan is offering big tax incentives to buy hybrid cars, so the insight is selling very well there, and the prius is primed for explosive sales - at least for japan, although i think the new prius will still sell very well in the US.
Post a Comment
<< Home