Sales of hybrids in the US declined in November to 15,942 units—the third lowest monthly results of the year—but were up 85% from the year before, reflecting the availability of more models and increased demand.
Total light-duty vehicle sales in November dropped 6.7% from the year before, from 1,198,673 units to 1,164,975. Hybrids thus represented 1.4% of the total light-duty vehicle market in November.
Sales of the Prius dropped below 8,000 for the first time in eight months, with the car selling 7,889 units. The Highlander Hybrid was a steady performer with 2,353 units sold, followed by the Rx 400h with 1,722. Toyota thus captured 75% of the hybrid market.
The availability of the new Honda Civic hybrid pushed sales of that model up to 2,083. Sales of the Accord hybrid dropped below 1,000 to 887. The Insight continued its low, but steady, sales pattern, turning in 60 units.
At 998 units, sales of the Ford Escape hybrid were the lowest since January, but were up 11% from the year before.
The percentage of hybrids sold relative to all light-duty vehicles for each of the three hybrid automakers—Toyota, Honda and Ford—has declined since the September levels.
The on-going success of the Prius puts the car in a class by itself. For those brands that offer a mix of conventional and hybrid powertrains, the percentage of sales represented by the hybrid version also dropped in November, with one major exception: the Honda Civic Hybrid, which increased its share against its non-hybrid cousins.
I recently read a long term test of the Prius that stated that the car was devoid of any driving pleasure. That coupled with the fact that you have to drive it for alot of miles to make up the difference in purchase price between it and a normal car. What's to love? It's really pay now or pay later isn't it. Larger car payment smaller gas bill or vice versa.
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2000 V6 5-speed Mustang not stock
2004 V6 5-speed Auto Accord Coupe
Mustang - Vortech SC 10psi, 3.73 gears with Trac-loc, dual-exhaust, phonelic intake spacer, X2C upper and lower rear control arms, KYB AGX front struts. 281HP at the rears.
I recently read a long term test of the Prius that stated that the car was devoid of any driving pleasure. That coupled with the fact that you have to drive it for alot of miles to make up the difference in purchase price between it and a normal car. What's to love? It's really pay now or pay later isn't it. Larger car payment smaller gas bill or vice versa.
Nothing taking over 10+seconds to hit 60 can be fun to drive. And i heard that when it is lower on charge, the 0-60 can stretch to over 12seconds . The handling isn't inspiring either with them thin ass tires.
Now a hybrid like the accord v6 would be fun to drive...then again, the accord hybrid is more of a performance hybrid and not a purely economical applience like the Prius.
I think you'd have to drive the Prius for 100,000+ miles before you see any real return ($$$ wise). People are probably just realizing this.
Seriously, unless you do tons of driving and rack on the mileage and plan on keeping the vehicle for 6+ years, it's not worth it.
Seriously, unless you do tons of driving and rack on the mileage and plan on keeping the vehicle for 6+ years, it's not worth it.
After that, factor in that the battery packs need to be replaced sometime around 8-10 years. Figuring that even high-end econoboxes are only worth about $5k after 10 years and 120-150k miles, that $2800 for the batteries + $~1500 for labor doesnt really seem worth it, does it?
Wow, you guys can't look beyond one point of view can you? Yes I'm sure everyone in this forum would want a sports car, but most people just see a car as something to get from point A to point B. When I'm not late for class, in a hurry or in a bad mood, I normally try to maximize my mpg over the 80 miles round trip by going 65mph, instead of 75 or higher which is my normal speeds. And when I got my 37mpg, I was not only surprised, but happy as hell. I still ave 34mpg, and it dips really low when I'm going 90 to get to class on time, but the point is the week I was driving slow to increase gas mileage was actually fun, the anticipation to see what mpg I'd get. I'm sure people who drive hybrids do the exact same thing, and if they don't, I doubt they care what the car does in the 1/4 mile or how many g's it pulls on the skidpad.
I highly doubt anyone driving a prius expects acceleration or a nimble suspension, and this is only toyota's 2nd gen hybrid. The next hybrid vehicle is the GS 450h. Now, that vehicle's lack of sportiness will be because of toyota's inclusion of nanny electronics, not because it's not capable handling or speed. Now would I personally want to drive a prius/civic hybrid/escape hyrbid? No, but I would love to have a highlander/accord/RX/GS hyrbids. Just because a car doesn't appeal to you doesn't mean it doesn't have any high point that appeals to other people.
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Gone: Blown Integra GSR
Current: Stock Civic ex =(
Mods: A pair of angel wings and 2 cans of red bull... Mighty fast!
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5.0
Seriously, unless you do tons of driving and rack on the mileage and plan on keeping the vehicle for 6+ years, it's not worth it.
Agreed... Untill the hybrid tech is advanced enough that it can be produced economically, I opt for hybrid as a way to improve power. Accord, Highlander and and the new Lexus limo is one fine example of that.
Wow, you guys can't look beyond one point of view can you? Yes I'm sure everyone in this forum would want a sports car, but most people just see a car as something to get from point A to point B. When I'm not late for class, in a hurry or in a bad mood, I normally try to maximize my mpg over the 80 miles round trip by going 65mph, instead of 75 or higher which is my normal speeds. And when I got my 37mpg, I was not only surprised, but happy as hell. I still ave 34mpg, and it dips really low when I'm going 90 to get to class on time, but the point is the week I was driving slow to increase gas mileage was actually fun, the anticipation to see what mpg I'd get. I'm sure people who drive hybrids do the exact same thing, and if they don't, I doubt they care what the car does in the 1/4 mile or how many g's it pulls on the skidpad.
I highly doubt anyone driving a prius expects acceleration or a nimble suspension, and this is only toyota's 2nd gen hybrid. The next hybrid vehicle is the GS 450h. Now, that vehicle's lack of sportiness will be because of toyota's inclusion of nanny electronics, not because it's not capable handling or speed. Now would I personally want to drive a prius/civic hybrid/escape hyrbid? No, but I would love to have a highlander/accord/RX/GS hyrbids. Just because a car doesn't appeal to you doesn't mean it doesn't have any high point that appeals to other people.
Actually, I can see the point of view of people who buy vehicles simply as a to b transportation. But what I was saying was that even for this, economically, hybrids do not make sense.
Actually, I can see the point of view of people who buy vehicles simply as a to b transportation. But what I was saying was that even for this, economically, hybrids do not make sense.
And I totally agree, IF you only look at it from a monetary perspective. But why do people buy exotic sports cars? Why do people buy luxury cars? Sure some of it has to do with the fact that they're fast or luxurious, but those people also want to make a statement, wheither or not they admit it. So when buying a hybrid they get their gas savings, but I'm sure all hybrid owners like the fact they're making a statement of doing their part in saving the environment. So it's become a status symbol, as California's #1 in hyrbids, it's the new "trend" and it's intrinsic value exceeds its extrinsic value.
__________________
Gone: Blown Integra GSR
Current: Stock Civic ex =(
And I totally agree, IF you only look at it from a monetary perspective. But why do people buy exotic sports cars? Why do people buy luxury cars? Sure some of it has to do with the fact that they're fast or luxurious, but those people also want to make a statement, wheither or not they admit it. So when buying a hybrid they get their gas savings, but I'm sure all hybrid owners like the fact they're making a statement of doing their part in saving the environment. So it's become a status symbol, as California's #1 in hyrbids, it's the new "trend" and it's intrinsic value exceeds its extrinsic value.
Look at it from an environmental perspective as well. Real-world fuel economy for the Prius is between 38 and 42mpg, which isnt all THAT much higher than comparable vehicles (new Civic gets what? 35? 40?). Combine that with the toxic heavy metals that are contained in the battery packs, the toxins and heavy metals that go into producing said batteries, and the environmental destruction from mining and smelting the copper and lead for the wiring in the motors and all over the car. Then factor in the increased safety risk in a collision to the occupants of the vehicle and responders of dealing with a vehicle carrying 500+ volts through its structure, and the fact that it can be leaking highly carcinogenic and explosive vapors and liquids (our EMT course next summer will have a special part about dealing with hybrids), and its really not a better all around system in its current form.
Wow, you guys can't look beyond one point of view can you? Yes I'm sure everyone in this forum would want a sports car, but most people just see a car as something to get from point A to point B. When I'm not late for class, in a hurry or in a bad mood, I normally try to maximize my mpg over the 80 miles round trip by going 65mph, instead of 75 or higher which is my normal speeds. And when I got my 37mpg, I was not only surprised, but happy as hell. I still ave 34mpg, and it dips really low when I'm going 90 to get to class on time, but the point is the week I was driving slow to increase gas mileage was actually fun, the anticipation to see what mpg I'd get. I'm sure people who drive hybrids do the exact same thing, and if they don't, I doubt they care what the car does in the 1/4 mile or how many g's it pulls on the skidpad.
__________________
2000 V6 5-speed Mustang not stock
2004 V6 5-speed Auto Accord Coupe
Mustang - Vortech SC 10psi, 3.73 gears with Trac-loc, dual-exhaust, phonelic intake spacer, X2C upper and lower rear control arms, KYB AGX front struts. 281HP at the rears.
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. The handling isn't inspiring either with them thin ass tires. 
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