When will there be a cheap American hybrid?
From small cars to cheap hybridsDecades ago, small cars were the dumbest idea ever, at least to those running US automakers. Honda and Toyota thought differently.
A decade ago, hybrid cars were the dumbest idea ever, at least to those running US automakers. Again, Honda and Toyota thought differently.
Today it seems cheap hybrid vehicles are the dumbest idea ever, as not one US automaker has confirmed plans for a cheap hybrid to compete with a vehicle like the Toyota Prius. And, the upcoming Honda Fit hybrid could take 'cheap hybrids' to a whole new level. Yet, US automakers don't even appear interested in entering this market.
Are US automakers again missing the boat? Will there ever be a cheap American hybrid?
Labels: honda fit hybrid, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:50 AM
9 Comments:
It's not that US auto makers think it is a dumb idea, they just can't make any money selling small cheap cars.
Their labor costs are too expensive. It's really that simple.
Where is the TOYOTA IQ that was suppose to be here this summer ?
Is basically great non hybrid hybrid as it gets 53/40!
Honda Fit hybrid will cost as much as Insight, so whats the rush / will it be as noisy, as slow, a barely 'legal' hybrid like the Insight in just a smaller body ?
How about the super efficient DIESELS that are here NOW in Europe. Why not a word for USA market ???? (You dont think Carl Rove fired them all do you ?)
I saw Ford CEO Alan Mulally claim that their new Union agreement would enable Ford to make a profit off small cars. Even in the past, I think US automakers could have derived profits from quality small cars if produced in great enough numbers. They just didn't care about such small profit margins when the profit margins off guzzlers were just too sweet.
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Early word on the Fit hybrid is that it will be cheaper than the Insight. Moreover, the Fit hybrid's ride will be like the Fit, not the Insight.
In terms of diesel, why?
US refineries aren't set up for a large increase in diesel. So, just ramping up the refinement capability alone would add lots of costs.
We're a gasoline nation slowly beginning the steps towards becoming an electron nation. How does diesel really help?
A few decades ago, we should have stuck with diesel. Today it doesn't make sense. Within a few years HCCI technology, for instance, will make gasoline engines just as fuel efficient and even cleaner than clean diesel.
Isn't that a better utilization of resources? I just don't see where a big ramp up in diesel takes America.
One thing is for sure. It's a triple paradox, or is it a triple oxymoron. American made, small, inexpensive.
It's actually a quadruple paradox. I forgot to include decent quality in the mix.
ouch!!!
ford has made some great improvements in quality, and the new fusion hybrid is compelling. ford provides some legitimate hope as a quadruple oxymoron fighter!
a ford prius fighter?! the marketing that ford could attain from such a vehicle would pay for any short term losses. c'mon ford!
How about Fords President committing to build a FUSION HYBRID TYPE COMPACT CAR for $19,000 !
I guess all car makers are keeping totally MUM till the month that something cool is coming out due to competitors beating them to the punch??
If they made the FOCUS a good hybrid I would consider purchasing one. Boy that would feel WEIRD as i havent purchased an american car in over 20 years!
The Focus hybrid has been discussed. Still, I'd like to see a hybrid only model from Ford for this small car purchase.
In 2012, Ford is supposed to launch a hybrid only model, hopefully it will be a Prius contender.
Well, until US automakers catch up with the times and demand, and the economy gets better, I guess I'll have to look at buying a used Prius off of a cheap used car site like onegrandcars.com or ebay or something. Hurry up US!
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