Top Ten Prius proves need for hybrid tax credits?
Number 10Despite some supply issues the Toyota Prius was the 10th best selling vehicle in the US in October according to the latest data.
Obviously, that proves conventional hybrid cars don't need new tax credits, right? Thus, tax credits should be reserved for larger battery-powered vehicles?
Why?
Wouldn't it be beneficial to get as many hybrids on the road as possible as quickly as possible? Likewise, might not tax credits for hybrids force other automakers to get serious about challenging the Prius in terms of hybrid sales?
Certainly, such a credit would hurt US automakers in the short term, but nothing breeds change like necessity. Besides, if plug-in hybrids are going anywhere, a lot more conventional hybrids are going to get there first, and both hybrid types can share battery technology.
Finally, even a little protectionism could be added to such a credit. For instance, make the credit available only for hybrids manufactured in America.
Labels: plug-in hybrid vehicles, tax credits
posted by Dahcredyns at
11:16 AM
4 Comments:
# Ford F-Series: 39,496
# Chevy Silverado: 31,754
# Toyota Camry: 30,136
Sugar! Pickups are winning again.
I'll bet the Prius would be higher than 10 in the US with tax credits.
In Japan, with the tax credits, the Prius is Number 1.
Indigo Incarnates
The trouble with tax credits is that the Toyota dealers were basically keeping the credits for themselves by artificially inflating the prices on hybrids with their surcharges.
Ford and Honda have the handicap of hybrid recognition. A lot of people think that Prius=Hybrid. Personally, I'd take an Insight-II over a Prius anyday since it's a smaller car that costs less and gets pretty close to the same gas mileage as the Prius.
Yeah. The dealer issue is a big issue, and tax credits would complicate that matter, but I think consumers would eventually balk, unless gas prices increased significantly.
Likewise, however, I'd bet a tax credit would have a huge impact on Insight sales.
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