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From the above link:
Mazda Motor Corp., Japan's fifth-biggest automaker, and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the maker of Subaru cars and wagons, found it difficult to export automobiles to Mexico because of tariffs of 50 percent and because they don't have factories in Mexico
Bob
~c
Gas prices will be a major factor in the success of hybrids. If it drops to $1.50 a gallon hybrids are screwed, basically.
More likely, gas will creep up above $2 and close to $3 when demand spikes, in that case I think 10% is about right.
Performance Hybrids will be interesting to see. So far they've only talked about them. Acceleration may improve but I'm interested to see how it affects handling and braking with the extra weight.
0.1% market share is not viable, if you look at 10% of Subaru's 1% overall share. But maybe a low volume premium model like the 7 seater could sell profitably, perhaps if they license the technology from Toyota.
Ford and Nissan already have, by the way.
I predict that the RX400H will be the hottest thing since, well, since the Pruis, when it comes out. Wait lists will hit 6 months at least.
-juice
Jon
Mileage is a plus, but range, HOV lane access, and the tax perks make the package appealing.
But Colin's pension requires that we keep buying gasoline so buy a little once in a while for your lawn mower. ;-)
-juice
~c
Even then, it's not one of Europe's best diesels. Look at the one in the M-B E class. 0-60 is quicker and it costs $1100 less, all while being a lot more efficient than the E320.
-juice
Look at Europe, compare diesels market share right now, today. I think they're already a majority, right?
We have a chicken-and-egg scenario right now, waiting for low-sulfer diesel fuel but needing a demand to justify it here in the US. Not to mention a different set of emissions laws that hurt diesels and put incentives on PZEV/hybrids.
Still, show me both. A diesel hybrid. The sky's the limit.
-juice
I think a lot of Americans are fed up with dealing with the mid-east oil thugs too. Anything we can do to wean us away from them is all for the good IMO.
Bob
But you have to admit, hybrids are getting all the help they deserve, while diesels are being hindered.
It's just not fair, that's all I'm saying.
-juice
Bob
-juice
Greg
Jon
There was an article in Bicycle where they gave x number of Treks to a bunch of people in a town in Maine last spring. They did a follow up article at the end of last year and it was amazing at some of the impact it had on those people. Interesting reading.
Greg
Diesel and hybrid and not mutually exclusive.
-juice
Porsche keeps that configuration alive to pay homage to that tradition...and to give us something to talk about.
-juice
Bob
thanks for the explanation Stuart!
-Brian
Now what's this about the '05 F-XT MT having a moonroof...
-Brian
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0403/16/autos-90468.htm
Bob
learjet, cessna and raytheon are all right here... all pennyless.
~c
Impreza WRX-STi = 2.5H4 turbo ~300hp
2004 models: Outback (non-VDC, non-LLBEAN), Forester X, XS, Legacy (all), Impreza (non WRX) = 2.5H4 non-turbo ~168hp
Forester XT = 2.5H4 turbo ~210hp
others: Outback VDC, LLBean = 3.0H6 ~212hp
2005 models: Outback XT, Legacy GT = 2.5H4 turbo ~250hp
-Brian
Toyota and Honda should spend money on Direct Injection.
That last article is hilarious. Who would have thought this would be a serious problem?
They should make tint mandatory for DVD equipped cars. Dark tint.
Yes, the 2.0l is a turbo. All other Imprezas since 2002 have had the 2.5l engine, that would be the TS and Outback Sport models. I recommend the latter, it's a good value.
-juice
Bob
Juice- 13 miles is the perfect distance to get in a good aerobic workout :-) You should be able to cover it in 45 min or so. The catch is that you need to live close to one of DC's bike trails (Rock Creek or DC to Mt. Vernon being two excellent choices).
Speaking of bikes, I just bought a new one last month and have been getting back into riding after a decade long hiatus.
-Frank P.
Greg
From Bethesda you could take the old train track, but that's not close to where I live. I'd be in heavy traffic for the first half of the trip.
Visited 2 dealers today, VOB Saab and 355 Lexus. Wife had 2 test drive offers to get free gift certificates.
At Saab, I wanted to see the 9-2x but it's not even close to arriving, so I drove a 9-5 wagon, Certified Pre-Owned.
Nice, kinda big for me, but nice. Auto, 2001, 2.3T engine. Major turbo lag, though the tranny was quite smart (no manual shift back in 2001). Roomy. Smart slide-out platform in cargo area. Great seats. Nit picks include an arm rest out of place and some quirky ergonomics, plus that lag.
I liked it, and at $18k not bad, especially with 44k miles and a warranty until 100k. BUT the new Legacy is every bit as good, and with more power should be more entertaining. And...used is used, this one had noticeable wear on the seats and carpets, my OCDness was bothered a bit.
Then I went to Lexus, another gift certificate award, my wife loves that stuff. My conversation with the salesman focused around the upcoming RX400H. He's obviously excited about it, they have 28 deposits for it already, $500 a pop. And it's only due in December! That's $14 grand 9 months before the first one arrived!
He suggested I get on the list and later sell my "position" in line. They're that optimistic about it. Their allocation will only be 5-6 per month, so he said that's already about a 6 month wait to get one, less if you're flexible on color and options.
Bob was right - MD gives you up to $2000 tax incentive, basically offsetting the 5% sales tax. On a Prius, you might get a little over a grand, but on the RX, we're talking the full $2000. The hybrid option adds $3000 to the price, but the net effect is the RX400H hybrid is just $1000 more than the RX330!
Think about it - the RX is already hot, and you'll profit when it comes time to re-sell (vs the RX330). It's a no-brainer, IMO. TCO is substantially less for the hybrid.
Still, we're talking mid $40s price, way out of my price range.
Back to Subaru, if the 7 seater is a hybrid, at the $30k price range that's a $1500 state tax incentive. Sweet. So it's equivalent to a non-hybrid costing $28.5k.
In MD, at least, hybrids will remain huge. There is no way, no how, they'll even come close to satisfying demand in the first year. Maybe two. The bottleneck right now is the manufacturer of the batteries.
-juice
They couldn't answer for us, even called a 2nd source to try to find out. No luck.
That dealer is back-to-back with a Toyota dealer, and the Scion xB caught my wife's eye. She loved it, absolutely flipped over it. Called it a Noveau Hippie car, a hip school bus.
Once again I'm shocked by her reaction. She hates the Element. Loves the Expedition. Unique tastes, to say the least!
-juice
woman..can't live with them and...pass the beer nuts...is that how that goes? ;-)
Tell you what, though, that back seat is super-roomy. Even the middle position is comfy. The seats are a bit spongy, but in the middle/hump it's more comfortable than any of the Lexus models I saw the day before. Seriously.
-juice
Maybe she's on the fence.
Greg
If we did end up getting a place - that would mean a lot more road trips!
-juice
-juice
Okay - venting over with. I'll be at the chat for a little bit, but then I have to start this process again. I can't talk about it there because it's about food!
Forgive my rant!
Patti
-mike
Craig
CUSAFR
Sprinkle confectionary sugar on top and call it Patti's secret toppings.
-juice
-Brian