How can this be? With Gas prices going up. With the buzz of green on every news channel and with almost every magazine having a green issue, SUV sales are going up. And hybrid sales are dropping. What world are we living in? Maybe Keith Naughton can explain.
And he does have an answer. We are all about what we want. We place that over any environmental goal. Mr. Naughton writes about 2 car Jekyl and Hyde families: SUVs and hybrids sharing the same garage. I can hear the environmental evangelists lamenting now, “Cats sleeping with dogs! What is this world coming to?”
But most hybrids drive like a “sack of potatoes” as compared to a V-8 SUV. And all that bass rumbling as you hit the gas…such power…such manly power. A souped up car is a lot more fun to drive than any undersized car. And I can understand that. There is nothing like being 19 passing cars on the freeway with the Eagles’ “Life in the Fast Lane” or Golden Earring’s “Radar Love” cranked up all the way so grandmothers and road tripping families can hear you coming. (Of course, now that I am part of one of those road tripping families, I just shake my head at those crazy kids’ antics.) No, I’m not humming, “We’ve got a thing that’s called Radar Love. boom boom boom boom boom ba boom”
So, what is the answer? Hybrid prices are falling and gas prices are rising so the payback should shorten. But do we really buy cars because of payback?
No.
No one is looking at an SUV and saying, “Let’s see, with this price and gas mileage, we’ll be able to buy and drive two Corollas. Let’s get 2 Corollas.”
“One more to pass here I go, guitar riff, Brenda Lee, you’re coming on strong.” That song now stuck in my head is the real answer. As much as I do not like it, that is the real answer.
It is a matter of time.
I don’t see the gas prices high enough to make a significant impact on the kind of vehicles people are buying.
Additionally, one of the main drives people have when choosing a vehicle is marketting. Unlike overseas, where people are more careful when buying a car.
I expect the technology to improve. A few manaufacturrers are committed to hibrids, and I am sure, they will continue to invest R&D.
Right now, to my choise, hibrid cars are more complex and prompt to become unreliable, in short time. Replacing the circutry and batteries in use, can cost a lot and it is not covered by warrantee.