Ask the Car People.SM


Hybrids - News, Reviews and Views in the Press

627 messages,  Last post on Jan 10, 2013 at 4:50 PM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, Hybrid Cars

Messages Page 63 of 64

#614 of 627 2012 Camry Hybrid by moparbad

Oct 05, 2011 (10:13 am)

from WSJ
2012 TCH
 
quote-
The consulting firm IHS Automotive counts 29 different hybrid vehicles on the market, including battery-pack toting versions of mainstream midsize sedans such as the Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata. But nearly half of the hybrids sold are one model: the easily identifiable Toyota Prius.
Despite the additional hybrid models on the market, "we're seeing no increases in demand," says IHS auto industry analyst Rebecca Lindland. "The reality is hybrids have never gotten over 3% of the market. Which means 97% of people are picking something else." -end

#615 of 627 Re: 2012 Camry Hybrid [moparbad] by larsb

Oct 05, 2011 (11:42 am)

Replying to: moparbad (Oct 05, 2011 10:13 am)
Prime example of the stupidity of the American car buyer.
 
That's why diesels and hybrids are low volume and something ridiculous like the F150 is the best selling vehicle.
 
Dumb.

#616 of 627 Re: 2012 Camry Hybrid [larsb] by moparbad

Oct 05, 2011 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: larsb (Oct 05, 2011 11:42 am)
Well, Natural Gas and Liquid Propane vehicles are so few as to not even register on the sales meter and our infrastructure is capable of fueling these vehicles. We are pretty shortsighted about energy efficiency and energy diversity and there is a love affair with gasoline and electricity as power sources.

#617 of 627 Hybrids in Carpool lane = BETTER TRAFFIC FLOW by larsb

Oct 14, 2011 (7:58 am)

Gary, I know you were a big opponent of granting HOV access to the high-mileage hybrids, but looks like in terms of traffic flow, it WAS a great idea:
 
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/transportation/study-finds-that-banning-hybrids-- from-hov-lanes-increases-traffic/1069?tag=nl.e660
 
Transportation researchers at the University of California at Berkeley have come up with some surprising results on HOV lanes and hybrids: allowing hybrids to drive in HOV reduces traffic congestion for everyone.
 
Until last July hybrid car owners in California could ride in the HOV even if they were driving alone. However, the California Department of Motor Vehicles ended that scheme this past summer sending around 85, 000 cars back to regular freeway lanes.
 
A new study that examined six months of data from roadway sensors that measured speed and congestion on San Francisco Bay Area carpool lanes, however found that the decision may have been a bad idea. Freeway traffic had since slowed down across the board - including the carpool lane (which were 15 percent slower).
 
While that seems counter-intuitive, the authors speculate that car pool drivers were likely to slow down if traffic in the adjoining lanes was significantly slower, out of safety concerns.
 
“As vehicles move out of the carpool lane and into a regular lane, they have to slow down to match the speed of the congested lane,” said Kitae Jang, one of the researchers. “Likewise, as cars from a slow-moving regular lane try to slip into a carpool lane, they can take time to pick up speed, which also slows down the carpool lane vehicles.”
 
Cassidy also added that drivers were likely to be nervous going 70 mph around slow moving traffic, out of fear that a regular-lane driver may suddenly enter their lane.
 
The study was done with data from 6 months, so more time may be necessary to see the full effect of the move.

#618 of 627 got flares? by steve_ HOST

Dec 02, 2011 (2:23 pm)

A freelance writer is working on a story about roadside emergency kits for an insurance company magazine. She’s looking for a good, personal example of why you need an emergency kit in your car -- or about that time you really you wish you'd had one. If you’d like to be interviewed, please send a brief overview of your story to Jenny at atfrostyshousegmail.com by 12/10/11.

#619 of 627 Hybrids in U.S. Losing Appeal by moparbad

Jan 12, 2012 (11:55 am)

Hybrids in U.S. Losing Appeal as Vehicles Run on Less Gas: Cars
 
Hybrids are losing market share.

#620 of 627 Re: Hybrids in U.S. Losing Appeal [moparbad] by larsb

Jan 12, 2012 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Jan 12, 2012 11:55 am)
....and what "drove" the carmakers to start building more gas engine vehicles which got 35+ MPG?
 
The popularity of hybrids.
 
Everyone knew hybrids were a "stopgap" until something better comes along. At least everyone who had followed the market and the news.
 
Don't count the hybrid "dead" yet though......the new Prius line will put some of the zoom back into sales.

#621 of 627 Re: Hybrids in U.S. Losing Appeal [moparbad] by hp2009

Jan 13, 2012 (7:58 am)

Replying to: moparbad (Jan 12, 2012 11:55 am)
Hi,
1.this guy who has been claiming $10000 for battery replacement...?
 
toyota original battery cost with labor$3500....after market $1700...
 
if u buy prius or any hybrid now....cost will down half or more since u have 8 yr or 100k warranty...
 
2.also this guys said...civic 32 mpg...good luck in town....it's impossible....i had corrolla ,civic in past.....highway miles 32 possible...
 
with hybrid....i have prius brand new,,,,,with regular rough driving....easy to get 45-48 in 35-40 degree weather....
 
so please donot listern to this report......there is enough success for hybrid....gas price will go up.....close to $4/gallon....we will see this summer....hybrid will be selling above msrp when gas goes up.,....
 
3.average people pay 20% more for hybrid car....(not electric)...electric not worth money.....but hybrid one vehicle in house hold....u can easily pay off....20% cost......i used to have 2009 crv.....city mpg 22...2011 prius mpg...48 around......go figure........
 
thanks for my input
hp

#622 of 627 Re: Hybrids in U.S. Losing Appeal [moparbad] by 625k_inc

Jan 13, 2012 (10:29 am)

Replying to: moparbad (Jan 12, 2012 11:55 am)
Hybrids are just a means to an end, higher fuel efficiency which seems to escape so many people. We have two hybrids because in 2005 and 2009, there was nothing even close. At least now there are more choices allowing buyers to have some tradeoff in price and performance.
 
Do the new gas-only cars really compete with hybrids in MPG? Not really but they do put the "clean" diesels to shame.
 
As for this article, auto writers still parrot just highway mileage and myopia about interior volume. This was certainly the case with the February, Consumer Reports, that awarded small cars their best, off-the-scale rating by ignoring the payload. It is the total package against the buyer's requirements that determines who wins the buyer.
 
Bob Wilson

#623 of 627 Re: Hybrids in U.S. Losing Appeal [625k_inc] by moparbad

Jan 13, 2012 (3:06 pm)

Replying to: 625k_inc (Jan 13, 2012 10:29 am)
Do the new gas-only cars really compete with hybrids in MPG? Not really but they do put the "clean" diesels to shame.
 
Article for the link I posted did not even mention diesels.
 
Consumers disagree with your statement as they are increasingly choosing diesel and manufacturers are offering more diesel models.
 
U.S. Clean Diesel Auto Sales Soar To 27 Percent Increase In 2011

Messages Page 63 of 64

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement