Americans seem to have a "two-week" memory. Now that gas prices have fallen sharply, there is a sharp drop in the sales of hybrid cars. U.S. hybrid petro-electric cars sales dropped 53% in November and 37% from a year earlier.
Some models, such as the Toyota Prius, saw sales down more than 50% and Camry sales were down 57%. Sales of Ford's Escape crossover were down 35%.
Hybrids normally cost $3,000 to $5,000 more than their gas equivalent models. Edmunds, a motor service company, estimates that it will take nearly eight years for a Prius owner to recoup the extra cost of the vehicle.
There was, however, an increase in the sales of small cars in November to 18.7% from 16.6% a year earlier.
This whole change of attitude has Detroit automakers confused and is creating uncertainty in the marketplace. It would seem that this would further add to the already existing dilemma that automakers are facing in their efforts to restructure their business models.
Would you buy a hybrid car?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-03-2009 @ 10:53PM
Charlie said...
Yes!, Yes I would but a HYBIRD veichle.
1-03-2009 @ 11:36PM
42 said...
No, for the very reason cited in the post: the payback is, um, a bitch. Unless you drive far more than most Americans, it's foolish to spend an extra $3-10,000 more (e.g. in the case of the Civic Hybrid, as there's no non-hybrid version of the Prius) for a hybrid.
The Jetta TDI is a better deal especially if you drive 20-25K miles on the highway annually, even given the spread between gasoline and diesel fuel.
1-04-2009 @ 12:54AM
MIKE said...
Would never consider a hybrid, to spend so much more for so little just to save a few dollars in gas is ridiculous. Even if you may recoup the additional cost in 7 years the additional cost of a replacement battery will extend the the recoup another 7 and assuming no other part breaks down. It is still cheaper and wiser to buy the car you like not one just because it saves gas.
1-04-2009 @ 9:13AM
Cpt D said...
nope!- - In Montana I need my F250 thank you! I drive a small 93 Subauru for getting around town. Can not see how you can ever get your money back from something as ugly as a Prius!
1-04-2009 @ 12:00PM
sconehead said...
"Hybrids normally cost $3,000 to $5,000 more than their gas equivalent models. Edmunds, a motor service company, estimates that it will take nearly eight years for a Prius owner to recoup the extra cost of the vehicle."
If this is based on gas prices that are half of what they'll return to being ($3.50-4 gallon), then it appears that Prius owners will recover their extra costs in 4 years.
It's also worth noting that the cost of a Prius right now reflects the demand/supply ratio, rather than an inherent expense. Once car companies start building hybrids in the US, the price gap between hybrids and conventional cars will shrink dramatically.
1-04-2009 @ 5:00PM
Beltway Greg said...
You people must have economic amnesia. Recently I heard a Chinese investment banker say that it will take a long time before Americans wean themselves off of credit and start saving. If we wanted to we could drive gas to .75/gallon but with the type of ignorant attitudes expressed above we'll be back to $3.00 in no time, the dollar will be toast, and we'll be kissing some more Arab a@@.
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