Hybrid "elite"?

[AptosDriver]

It's amazing to me how few mid-size hybrid cars are being sold nationwide, per this article. While Toyota sold more than 10,000 Priuses in January, they sold only 860 TCH's nationwide. Ford actually sold more FFHs: 969. That's not a lot of mid-size sedans for either company. The which-came-first, chicken-or-egg question is whether so few are being sold because neither company is committed to producing more of them, or because demand itself is limited. Either way, TCH and FFH owners could consider themselves part of an "elite" group.

[akirby]

It has everything to do with price and fuel economy and visibility. The Prius is cheaper with max fuel economy and it looks different. The TCH and FFH look like any other Camry or Fusion, they're more expensive and they don't get the maximum fuel economy.

 

I expect the C-max to do better than the FFH.

[VonoreTn]

I think both Toyota and Ford are using their hybrids as a "get them to the dealer" cars. When customers get there, they see how many more options they can get for less money in other packages, where both Ford and Toyota make more money for both the manufacturing companies and the dealers. When the price of gas gets up to $4.00 again, hybrids sales will increase, and all auto companies will have to get serious about high FE vehicles and how to get more profit out of them. One thing that will help them make money will be higher volume, which will result when people recognize how much they can save in fuel cost with a hybrid. In short, people are OK with $2.95 gas because no one knows if it will go up or down from here. There are forces out there that could drive it either way. My guess would be higher prices due to our restrictions on gulf drilling, greater demand by China and India, and a government level reluctance to go after our own USA reserves.

[AptosDriver]

There are forces out there that could drive it [gas prices] either way. My guess would be higher prices due to our restrictions on gulf drilling, greater demand by China and India, and a government level reluctance to go after our own USA reserves.

I think refining capacity may have more to do with U.S. price trends than actual oil supply at this point. That said, oil is a finite resource and most of the "low-hanging fruit" has already been picked. That's what's driven the drilling rigs into deeper Gulf waters. It was actually the disastrous BP blow-out last year that started me thinking that we really should get a hybrid. Sure, I want a car that's more economical to drive, but I'd also like to be more a part of the solution than the problem. On the other hand, I'm not interested in making a "statement." No Prius for me. As for gas prices driving demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles, go to Europe and see what most people there drive -- small cars and motorcycles. Even my RAV4 would look like a huge car in most major European cities. Gas costs way more over there than it does here. The first time I ever saw a Smart Car was in Paris, and they were everywhere. Now I'm seeing some here on the freeway, where I don't think they're very smart.

[CometFlash]

Like mentioned, I think everytime gas prices spike, or stay high for a prolonged period, you'll see spikes in hybrid sales. Part of the problem too is the prices of hybrids. It's hard to justify buying one to SAVE money, when they cost so much MORE than their gas counterparts. You have to keep 'em forever to recoup and then start saving, but most people don't keep a vehicle for 10 years or more. They need to get realistic pricing going on them first and foremost. And many people may have the same concerns I did before buying, such as battery logevity, long-term reliability, winter/summer effects on battery, will it always start & go like a normal car or will the battery act funny on cold/hot days and leave you stranded, etc. New tech can always be a bit scary for an early adopter at the cost of said adoption.

 

I'd also assume that they sell better in warmer climates than in places like where I live, with brutal winters. Again, trepidation in performnace/issues with battery or other new hybrid-specific components in freezing weather conditions.

 

Who knows, just my own personal random thoughts on the matter.

 

I can tell you this: It feels fantastic to finally be the little hybrid car getting awesome MPG with a super-smooth ride, the ones I used to look at in my huge truck and envy as I got crap 14MPG with my truck constantly shifting up n down in the 9am and 5pm stop n go traffic. There's so far only 1 thing that I truly miss big time about my truck, and that's being able to actually SEE what's around corners, or other times when having that line-of-sight would be helpful in avoiding an accident or merging safer. I find myself coming to stops and then inching ahead to see around the massive 10-12 foot snowbanks and hoping no one is coming as my nose sticks waaay out to get a line-of-sight for myself. That's the one thing. I wish I could raise my seat to the roof and sit outside the moonroof so I could see again. Other than that, everything in the FFH is better and/or not a dealbreaker for all the benefits of the car over the truck. Being tiny while driving straight is actually better for better driving habits, as I just pay attention to myself and how I'm driving. But at turns/intersections/merges, man, to have that height again...

 

I did my best yet the other day, 13 miles at 43MPG. B)

 

I'll take my new elite FFH club over the massive F150 club, where everyone gets all pissy at each other, any day of the week. :grouphug:

Edited February 7, 2011 by CometFlash

[jimls]

I just purchased a 2010 FFH with only 12,100 mi, but I tried to buy a new one, well, no dealer within a hundred miles had one. Bottom line, I'm happy with a nearly new car with everything I'd have ordered.

 

Jim