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That's not true. Those buyers bought the vehicles because they liked them and they expected a certain level of amenities. No there is no Autobahn here where they can wear out their driving machines or maybe they just tired of them. Who knows it was a personal decision but the one thing that they weren't going to give up was amenities. They no longer had any interest in driving a 10-12 y.o. vehicle which is normal and they had no interest in a newer version of what they had.
Personal choice....and fuel economy. Driving a vehicle is NOT a 'typical Knee jerk American reaction'. In fact if they were at all interested in the beginning they waited 8 years! to finally pull the trigger.
The customers waiting may have a 2-4 month wait unless gas jumps to $5 on average. There will be 60% more produced this year so those waiting should find their own shortly. But for now Toyota and Honda are missing sales. Sales not made for lack of inventory when at full production are simply lost sales. They can never be made up.
All makers were blindsided by fuel prices. For some it has put them on the edge of extinction for others it means lower profits.
It is funny you should say that. One of my first cars was a 72 Corolla. If you compare the features of the 72 Corolla to a list of features found on a Yaris, there is no comparison. Ninety percent of the features listed below were never available on my Corolla. People have become very spoiled. Back in the good old days we drove real cars, not the fluff they build now.
Multi-reflector halogen headlamps standard
Integrated fog lamps optional
Intermittent windshield wipers standard
Color-keyed grille surround standard
Color-keyed power outside mirrors option package
Color-keyed outside door handles standard
Instrumentation: frosted-illumination speedometer and tachometer[1] with LCD odometer, twin tripmeters and fuel level gauge standard
Airbag, seatbelt, low-fuel level, door-ajar, battery, check engine, oil pressure and brake warning lights (ABS warning lights on ABS-equipped models) standard
Digital clock standard
Tilt steering wheel standard
Cruise control option package
Defroster-linked CFC-free air conditioning standard
AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability and auxiliary audio jack standard
Power door locks optional
Power windows with driver's auto down optional
Interior maplight standard
Covered center console with storage standard
Driver's seat height adjuster standard
60/40 split fold-down rear bench seat standard
Heavy-duty electric rear window defroster standard
Remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock and panic features optional
Remote trunk release standard
Remote fuel-filler door and hood releases standard
Trunk lamp standard
Cup holders (two front and one rear) standard 12V power outlets
p.s.-Steve, here we go again :sick: :sick:
On the contrary, I'm SHOWING that they DID NOT fall or rise by comparable amounts. Mortgage rates dropped 40% while Fed Funds dropped 85%. In addition, I showed they also do not move in sync with Treasury Bill rates, since the T-bill has dropped 20% in the past year, but mortgage rates have risen slightly.
They will!
If you think so, then now is the time to buy GM stock. It's $12 per share -- a 40 year low.
Actually I missed that one, but pf_flyer snuck over and killed the post with his big compressed air Bazooka.
I think that they'll see how the TSX does first before committing more vehicles as diesels. The price of diesel fuel probably put the diesel ODY and Diesel MDX on hold.
The dealer there said nobody asks about gas mileage when they come in to buy.
Since 60% of our oil is from within, there have got to be a lot of folks getting rich in America from this. Exxon-mobil could probably buy GM with a good month's profit. How this all plays out is terrifying to me. I have gone from concern about the U.S. owing itself to China for walmart home products bought on credit cards to concern about Arab oil rich investors so rich they could buy Walmart or Montana with a day's profits.
The guy driving a new Camry going the same way, left rubber at 4 consecutive red rights that we were both stopped at on the way home yesterday. He was wasting far more gas than I was saving by anticipating the lights and keeping up, but if it's gonna be $7 a gallon next year, why not?
If the US goes through with a complete pullback from Iraq, including closing the 4 new 'superbases' under construction there, we will be in a world of hurt in 5 more years. The things that will be going on worldwide will make the last 5 years seem like a cakewalk. I am starting to get an Idea of the immense value of what we are guarding over there. The Prius is not going to save our way of life. What about the 200 million Americans who will never afford one even if Toyota could make the batteries and even if used ones were not worth $9k over MSRP at 3 yrs old and 50k miles on them?
Your fears are well grounded. I share them with you..
Where is diesel less than $5 per gallon? That'd be the only thing that would interest people in diesel cars.
The US has a lot of catching up to do but they are proceeding due to necessity.
Alternative types of cars being considered and now in progress in the US and will be manufactured and sold by 2011(Nissan promised by 2010):
1-electric cars, in some cases with people installing solar panels on their house to recharge them-when those panels are sold cheaper-see Nanosolar.com or Ascent Technologies.
2-hydrogen cell cars, Shell will have hydrogen pumps at their gas stations within driveable distance in each major city in the US by 2011
3-small engine (1L diesels) with capability to switch to biodiesel (from recycled vegetable oils)-this is an alternative we have not fully explored but is feasible.
4-small engine 1L diesel/or regular gas cars with electric motor assistance.
5-hybrids like the Prius at a 6 month backlog due to demand right now.
6-motorcycles and fast scooters that get 48+mpg will be more used even now.
7-mass transit ridership is up 75% right now, more buses and train systems will be developed-see b-top.org/links on what is in the works in the mid-west.
8-bicycle and walking paths developing within each major city-plans are in the works in Indianapolis-we are hoping for the best on this one.
On the energy front:
Solar/Wind generation electricity production plants are being built in the US and Germany presently. Nuclear plants are still an option on the table but very costly.
Some Geothermal plants are being built also.
Yeah, and with a half-baked truck at that! I was at the Ford show in Carlisle and took out an F-150 truck for the heck of it. If I needed a truck, the F-150 or the Silverado would be at the top of my list. I really like the Super Duty, but I have no need for such a vehicle and don't own a refinery.
The worst part is the Toyota NAV entertainment packages are substandard to even the US made products. So you got all these amenities and you cannot listen to a CD without it skipping around. But you can go to the gas station and have a smug look on your face when that single mom at the pump next to you tries to find enough change for gas to get to work.
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080702_Gas_prices_shifting_how_we_- drive.html
They are resolving that as fast as Japanese construction men can build the new battery plant.
All the capacity they need to go "mass market" right here pal
With Toyota’s plans to increase sales of its hybrids to 1 million cars a year, more batteries are a must. Every nickel-metal hydride cloud has a bright lining, and for strapped and asthmatic Americans, it’s a paradigm shift towards economical and environmental responsibility in our daily driving choices. The Prius is one of the forces propelling us toward this shift, and if it means more gas-electric hybrids as we wait for better technology, perhaps that is better than no hybrids at all.
Today was $4.04 regular gas vs. $4.45 diesel. That is only a 10% increase over regular. Based on the cars that are available in both gas and diesel (available here or only overseas), the increase in mileage is far greater. Approximately a 25% to 40% better mileage (just to compare, a very conservative gas to diesel jump is going from 35mpg to 45mpg and that is a 28% increase). I'd say it's still a good deal. Even better when you compare diesel to premium gas, which is what many of the sportier or luxury vehicles use. Today was $4.24 premium vs. $4.45 diesel, which is only a 5% difference.
If you are not doing mostly city driving, diesels are still the best solution for many folks.
Keep in mind that it doesn't take much mileage to make up the difference in fuel. Diesel is still a good deal considering the mileage increase. Premium is becoming a better deal every day, too. It's always been about 20 cents a gallon more than regular. That 20 cent spread was a lot bigger spread (percentage-wise) when gas was $1.80 than it is now that we are over $4/gallon. The higher cost of premium is something to take into conseration when buying your next vehicle, but the current price difference only works out to be a operating costs difference that equals about 1.5 to 2 mpg. Considering that most vehicles that run on premium gain more mileage than that by running premium, the dollars and cents works out as a benefit.
What's your point, Gary? That import trucks and SUVs are not selling and domestic ones are? I'm not sure what you are trying to say?
And 'Yota has about 50 billion in cash - so losing a few hundred million on poor Tundra sales is not going to hurt them too much mi amigo...............There will ALWAYS be a market for big trucks - people have to have them for work.........so they will ALWAYS sell in some numbers.
The fact is that owners comments are completely different than your narrow view. Hint: there is a reason that it's sold out. Personally I had 4 Camrys before my own Prius and I find this to be by far the best in terms of my personal safety and comfort.
As to the cost of using it....
1990, with fuel @ $1.00 / gal commuting into NYC cost me $4 a day in gas, a $4 toll and $8 parking daily for a 'get to work' cost of $16 per day in 1990 dollars.
2005, pre-Katrina, in a 31 mpg Camry with fuel @$2.25 / gallon the 'get to work' cost was ~$10 per day in 2005 dollars.
2008, in a 48 mpg Prius buying fuel @ $4 / gal the 'get to work' cost is just under $12 per day in 2008 dollars.
I will continue to make adjustments, but I now drive a better made and safer vehicle than I did at any time in the past. I will expect to continue to do so in the future as well.
Well, the 3 isn't 'little' any more, about 3400 lbs., EPA 20/29 mpg, far off a Prius. And the tests I've read back up the EPA #s. I used to be surprised at how good the mileage was for a 3, no longer. And the 1 is only slightly better in 6-cyl. form. Sure, it'd be much better with a diesel, but that's not here now.
As you say there will always be a market for trucks here in NA. While booming sales and stupid profits would be great for investors the longer term view is that they can wait...and wait...and wait until things settle down. It's assuredly going to be an entirely different market in 2015 with different players and a different product mix. Not having any debt nor any pressure to make one investment pay off allows for a much longer view of the horizon.
GM must get the Volt to market ASAP and have it be near perfect on arrival in 2010. It's critical to their future existence. Toyota can easily afford wait out the current storm.
JULY 2 -- A Kentucky woman is facing prostitution charges for allegedly trading sex for gasoline. Angela Eversole, 34, was nabbed last weekend during a police stakeout at a Days Inn, where she allegedly trysted with customer Kenneth Nowak. According to investigators, Nowak admitted paying for Eversole's services, in part, with a $100 gas card. Eversole was hit with a prostitution rap, and also charged with doing business without an occupational license.
I didn't know you could GET a license to be a prostitute. Of course, I've never been to Kentucky.
I don't remember the Human-Powered Car getting a mention in here.
My wife's 8 year old 323i gets 30+ mpg average. And that's a lot of city driving and 80+ mph highway driving. It gets about the same mileage whether you drive 70 or 90mph. I usually get over 35mpg out of it driving less than 70mph and accelerating slowly, timing lights, etc.
I've said it before, bring on the BMW diesels (especially the 1 and 3 series). 50+mpg. Or even the 1 Series in the small gas engines (not the two US offerings which both use the 6 cylinder engine).
Four people...2000 Watts..that's, well, 3 HORSEPOWER! :surprise:, 0.75 HP/person - not possible, according to the chart on this page Human Power for "healthy human", close to impossible even for "First Class Athletes". Keep on dreaming...
How true.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Coming to a CAFE in the US!
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
Gas Price Freak-Out
OMG! Gas prices increased! Everybody panic! Flee the cities! Return to the farms! Barricade yourselves in the nuclear bomb shelter your grandfather built in the '50s and live off canned Spam and Gatorade! Move to Canada!
Aiiieeeeeeeeee!
Wait a minute, wait just a doggone minute. Didn't all this happen once before? Why, yes, yes it did. Looking up some of what historians call "facts," I see that this very same panic kicked in 34 years ago.
Wait another minute, I was there! And you were probably there, too. You might have even bought a yellow Datsun B210 Honey Bee as a reaction to gas hitting, yikes, 65 cents a gallon! Sixty-five cents! That's absurd! Our families cannot live under that strain. The oil companies are greedy scum! We will not stand for it. Boycott! Boycott!
There followed, in about 1975 or so, a period of adjustment in the market. Detroit reinvented itself as sales of GM X-bodies and Ford Pintos skyrocketed. Not to mention sales of the four-cylinder Ford Granada and the imports.
At this time there were even some noble attempts to build electric cars. My favorites were the kits you could buy to convert your Volkswagen Beetle or SuperBeetle to run on DC power with only a few Sears Die Hards in the trunk and back seat.
Soon after that gas crisis passed, supplies increased and everyone forgot--until 1976 when gas rose once more. That's absurd, we said again. Our families cannot live under that strain. The oil companies are greedy scum! We will not stand for it. Boycott! Boycott!
A better attempt on Detroit's behalf was the downsized full-sized 1977 GM B and C body cars. The Cadillac Seville that was introduced in 1975 was another notable achievement - a modern classic!
The old RWD Nova and all its clones were still considered X-bodies, but when they went through that crisp, modern restyle for 1975, I believe sales actually dropped over 1974. But then, in '75 big car sales were starting to recover, and intermediate personal luxury coupes like the Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Cutlass Supreme, and Cordoba were really starting to take off.
Another error in that article was about gas prices rising again in '76. That was '79, like you mentioned. By 1976, big cars were selling so well again that GM was starting to have second thoughts about releasing their downsized cars, at least with the bigger ones like the Electra and Ninety Eight.
Today's run-up in crude prices are attributed to US crude oil supplies falling more than expected last week. (Yahoo News)
$4 a gallon gas is bad enough without having to wait in line in order to buy it on alternate days.
I'd actually prefer having to wait in line for $4 gas. At least then, I'd believe that the price has some justification -- that there really is a supply/demand problem.
As it stands now, I never SEE a shortage, but I keep HEARING that there is one ..... from the very people who profit from high gas prices.
Curious.
.
I've never quite understood this line of reasoning. In a market that's working, there's a constant supply of gas/corn/whatever, with the price dependent on supply/demand. We don't have line at the bakery, even though grain prices have soared, nor lines to buy wiring at Home Depot, even though copper prices have soared. Prices go up, markets equilibrate, life goes on...
Supply is not the reason for the prices hikes now. But I did see one station with no gas. The local BP is closed. I'll bet it comes back owned by the Regional monopoly company. Right by the interstate.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Part of it was panic buying not related to the actual supply. I suppose that could happen with RUG with a few timely rumors.
Yeah, panic will do that...just read about all the Iran-related sabre rattling. Something bad happens there, you'll see lines, no doubt :sick:
The job I had on day of 911 required a 110 mile daily commute. I had to fill up every 2-3 days. After work on 911 at about 6 PM, I stopped at gas station near my home and had to wait in line. The price per gallon was up, but not exhorbitant. There were newpaper accounts in my area of a discount chain store that exhorbitantly raised their price to $4.00 per gallon. They were properly verbally beaten up by critics, reporters.