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Hybrid sales have been surging as fuel prices take their latest run towards record levels. But the news might not be nearly as good as it would seem if a new study by R.L. Polk is any indication.
Despite previous sales surges tied to past petroleum price hikes the U.S. hybrid vehicle market hasn’t been able to maintain its momentum and the Polk study apparently explains why. After living with the high-mileage technology, nearly two of three hybrid owners wind up returning to a more conventional vehicle when it’s time to trade in.
Bottom Line - Hybrid owners unlikely to buy another one, study shows (http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/10/11101762-hybrid-owners-unlikely-to-buy-another-one-study-shows?lite?ocid=twitter - broken link)
I always find it so amusing when market analysts predict what people in certain markets "should" buy. "Well, this county or city is "green" so they'll love this new "green" technology!"
Um, they don't take into account all factors involved. Just because some city ordinance requires residents to separate their garbage into recyclables, or fines people for not having operating catalytic converters on their cars, they think that the majority of residents are "green". They simply don't understand that many people just go along to get along, and have to determine cost-effectiveness as it relates to them. If, say, San Francisco offers a city-wide 'rebate' of $3000 in 2009-2010 for buying a "green" car - but the rebates expired at the end of 2010; most people will determine whether or not the car provided them with cost effectiveness - or if buying a similar car will do the same. Between benefits and restrictions, most folks will determine what they can afford or get away with doing/not doing as to how it benefits them - not on some general hyper-emotionalized idea that 'Hey, my area is green, I'm gonna be green too!"
My Toyota Tundra runs like a scalded cat, hauls whatever I put into it or behind it, has many standard features that are "extra" on all other makes and models in its class, and - is paid for. YTH should I buy some piece of unknown untested 'green' technology just to make someone else feel batter?
Prius sales are still incredibly strong. Lumping the Honda Civic hybrid in the the Prius hurts the whole category.
That's funny, the hybrid market is nearly 12 percent down compared to a year ago, while the overall auto market is up by 7.5 percent from last August.
Prius sales are down almost 9% over a year ago, you are probably talking about the Seattle area's market because you sure aren't talking about the entire US market...
There are politics [and possible smoke/mirrors] going on here.
Toyota refuses to send enough hybrids to this areas dealers to fill demand.
I am fairly active on a hybrid forum, and while each brand of hybrid gets discusses a lot. I have never heard any owner discuss wanting to buy a non-hybrid.
I am fairly active on a hybrid forum, and while each brand of hybrid gets discusses a lot. I have never heard any owner discuss wanting to buy a non-hybrid.
Makes sense doesn't it? It takes a special kind of mentality to buy a hybrid and to actively participate in a hybrid forum....
Why would a person who was disenfranchised with their purchase of a hybrid stick around a hybrid forum where the members congratulate each other on their purchase and boast how superior they are to the rest of humanity that drives those gas guzzling carbon spewing evil vehicles?
A question, is the hybrid forum like this one where the members practice one upsmanship on how much greener they are than everyone else in the forum?
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