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Hybrids & Diesels - Deals or Duds? ![]()

5196 messages, Last post on Oct 16, 2006 at 6:55 AM
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Replying to: zodiac2004 (Mar 16, 2006 8:38 am) Again another good point! This is also in line with (my) a prior posting about the CAFE regulations actually inhibiting more massive offerings of the hybrids. (or whatever for that matter) I am not privy to the penalties or the rules, but I am sure the oems would be penallized if they produce too many hybrids. (or whatever else for that matter) !!!?? So it only makes sense to get the best possible price per unit for the longest possible time. Of course the beans have long since been spilled on how the SUV's etc were to be the UAW's in GM, Ford and DCB contracts, life time and live long benefits plan. |
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Replying to: gagrice (Mar 16, 2006 7:10 am) Auto's IMO are on track to offer hybrid options one by one by one. The Sienna is next, then likely the Corolla and a Celica/supra sports car. If the Corolla does come in 2-3 yrs then one could buy a hybrid from Toyota in every $1000 increment from $18000 to $50000+ the choice would be yours. You and I will continue to disagree about whether they should increase production ( i believe that they are but in a very astute manner ) thereby flood the market in one vehicle. From a profit perspective why do that. It's the detroiters strategy and it doesnt work. Keep the supply and demand in balance and try to obtain sticker for everyone you sell. That's good business. Rather than 1 Million Prius' why not 10 or 15 separate hybrid vehicles each selling 50-100K units at different price levels to appeal to a wider market. Every manufacturer is moving to the 'dark side'. Honda is much less 'green' now with it's SUV's/trucks than it was 15 yrs ago when it was only the Civic/Accord. It's just business, everyone is following the money. Toyota's trucks.... diesel. Again the plodding methodical route may annoy lots of people but neither they nor Nissan nor Ford are going to get into diesels here in a big way until every state allows the use of diesel completely widespread and free. At that point Texas, Tenn and all the Thai imports of diesel will likely wash away gassers and increase the FE of the truck fleets dramatically. But not until all the states permit diesels freely. In addition to Hino building here and in Canada I would bet a clean crisp $5 bill that the new TX plant is being designed to convert part of it's production to diesel in a blink of an eye. Methodical, at the proper moment flip a switch and BLAM.. 100,000 diesel Tundras.
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Mar 15, 2006 7:57 pm) I suppose "trucks not moving well" is why the Ford F-150 has been the best selling vehicle (not truck - vehicle) in America - for the past 29 years straight?
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Mar 16, 2006 9:13 am) However, over the long term, the hybrid really does not solve the fuel consumption issue, if for no other reason that it continues to use the stuff we are trying to get away from; "FOREIGN OIL". With a slow long lead in, it literary affects/effects,does nothing. It also creates another problem and that is higher costs. These higher costs outweighs the gains or under correct circumstances take far longer to B/E. Emissions mitigation for diesels will literally leapfrogand continue to advance. It also offers a 37% advantage over any like gasser product. It also takes less upstream resources to refine: translation? It ACTUALLY uses less oil!! HELLO!!?? . It also can be grown from domestic RENEWABLE resources!!. Unleaded regular is literally a one trick pony in comparison. The caveat is unless of course the environmentalists see Nirvana and Nirvana is defined as unleashed domestic exploration and drilling for oil (aka unleaded regular) . My own take here: a miracle is NOT likely here. In closing, the one's advocating NOT using unleaded regular, incredulously do not see the logic that it is illogical to demand folks use alternative fuels when they outlaw or make literally impossible to improbable the use of alternative fuels !!!!!! ??????? |
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Replying to: stevedebi (Mar 16, 2006 9:40 am) |
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Replying to: winter2 (Mar 16, 2006 6:51 am) Constructive means: "not personal". Commentary about a person isn't the slightest bit helpful. Instead of attempting to discredit, stick to the facts. And try being objective. FACT #1 - Clean Emissions means the vehicle achieves a rating of at least SULEV. Percentage of improvement is not appropriate, since that is only a relative measure. The rating is a precise ppm quantity, and using that is the truly objective approach. FACT #2 - Stop & Slow traffic is a common problem a majority of the population has to deal with. So MPG data must include this requirement. The exclusion of that is an obvious attempt to mislead. It must be included to be objective. FACT #3 - Automatic Transmissions are what over 90 percent of the drivers in the United States have purchased. That makes the “not required to shift” type the undeniable preferred choice. Yet the discussions here quote MPG values from the Manual Transmission instead but fail to point the efficiency difference out. That is not objective, it is deceptive. FACT #4 - Full Hybrid technology can be implemented in a very wide range of vehicle types using a variety of engine & motor sizes. The flexibility of configuration is astonishing; however, responses dismiss this inferring that isn’t actually possible. But it is, and will be expanded upon as the years progress. Being objective means not ignoring that. JOHN
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Replying to: john1701a (Mar 16, 2006 2:52 pm) The only way you can truly save fossil fuel even with a Prius is to park it and not drive it.
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Replying to: gagrice (Mar 16, 2006 4:28 pm) And the only attempt to be objective claims that I'm "incapable of compromise". That's clearly not correct. I accept SULEV, it's a compromise. PZEV is cleaner (since it also requires significantly reduced evaporative emissions). No compromising means that I'd insist on PZEV (especially since Prius & Camry-Hybrid have that rating). But I don't. You have been proven wrong. Now stop with the personal attacks. JOHN
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Replying to: john1701a (Mar 16, 2006 7:57 pm) You can insist all you want. PZEV is a CARB rating. Without the designer gas sold in the CARB states you will not get that rating. As it is currently sold in 45 states the Prius is BIN 3 with an 8 rating. Prius is not the cleanest gas car available in your area. As I have already pointed out. There are several cars that rate cleaner in the 45 non CARB states. Cleaner than any of the hybrids except the Honda Civic Hybrid. So I apologize you have accepted a compromise by buying the less than SULEV II Prius. Automobiles receiving a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) credit have met the Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) tailpipe standard which is 90% cleaner than the average new 2003 automobile. In addition, they have near-zero evaporative emissions and their emission control equipment has a 15-year/150,000 mile warranty http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ccbg/atpzev.htm Check out PZEV. It is SULEV with a 15yr 150k Mile warranty. http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/detailedchart.pdf
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they are on the pole at Sebring. The number 1 & 2 spot are Audi TDIs. Nothing like diesel to make you go fast.... Doing there part not to waste so much fuel in the racing sport. Sebring diesel
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