Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

Hybrids in the News

1646567697097

Comments

  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    quote-Soldiers drove the Humvee for six miles on only battery power, convoyed in the hybrid (electric-diesel) mode, -end

    Nice diesel.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Link is bad. :(
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    quote-Industry analysts estimate that this year, 1% of all new-car buyers in the U.S. will drive away from showrooms in hybrids.-end

    WooHooo! 1% Only 99% more and they will achieve world domination.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    quote- “We sell every one we get, and so do all the dealerships that are selling Toyota. -end

    Now that is an accomplishment :P Too funny.
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    Hmmm...I wonder why all the majors are vying to get hybrids to market. Is it to get a piece of that 1% marketshare? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I love hybrids!!!!

    Yummy!!!
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Already been discussed posted by larsb

    and here3665

    quote falconone #3261- Already posted. Let's not have the folks read the same article ten times. -end :surprise:
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    Different source...different perspective. Hey...enjoying the hybrid forums? Glad to see you sticking around. Maybe one day we'll see a hybrid Liberty. Hopefully not as woefully troublesome as the diesel version.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Even if the link did work, the Philly Hybrid story was already posted.

    3569

    quote falconone #3261- Already posted. Let's not have the folks read the same article ten times. -end
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    Since we have new visitors, it may be useful to repost important items from time to time. What really bothers me is when people cross post the same story to other threads. Glad to see you're enjoying my posts!! When you gonna trash that gas guzzler????
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    falconone -2006 Prius on order. Mission in life? To dispel hybrid hate and to reveal hybrid envy-end :surprise:

    Mission in life? Wow! You take hybrids very seriously.

    Envy

    It is likey that other automakers envy the "Green Reputation" that Toyota has created.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    When you gonna trash that gas guzzler? :confuse:
  • roberte1roberte1 Member Posts: 42
    Talk about a Green . You can buy a Jetta Desiel and not have to worry about your battries going dead !!! Plus the techknowlege will not be outdated in 6 months .
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Intellichoice is value..not reliability
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    Ahhh... you have a lot to learn freshman. Please show us how you get 60mpg in you VW Jetta. Yeah..the one that CR rates as very poor reliability.
  • roberte1roberte1 Member Posts: 42
    Reliability ??? I have seen and drove Desiel Jetta's above 250,000 that ran just as well if not better than new . CR has not allways been accurate . Esspecaly with there apperent hate of VW !!!! I have always had a VW and they have always been reliable .
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    This story was discussed here two weeks ago. The Canton, OH story as you can see is a verbatim transcript of a LA Times story that ran on 10-23. It's conclusion is correct.. 'put your calculators away..' there are other reasons than money to buy a Prius or HCH.

    The foremost one for me is that it helps keep money out of the hands of the ayatollahs and saudi princes. You may be in favor of doing that but I'm not.
  • roberte1roberte1 Member Posts: 42
    If you look at my profile I currenty own two VW's and have had no problems.
  • mistermemisterme Member Posts: 407
    "I have seen and drove Diesel Jetta's above 250,000 that ran just as well if not better than new . CR has not always been accurate . Especially with there apparent hate of VW !!!! I have always had a VW and they have always been reliable"

    Forget CR if you like, but you can not dispute the fact of poor VW reliability, just google "VW reliability" and get an endless sea of troubles and woe, from windows falling out, fires and steering parts falling off to name a few.

    Used car listings are a good sign of reliability and there just isn't many diesels over the 100K mile mark.

    Saving money with a hybrid-
    I chose to dissolve any premium paid within the first year, and I did. Now all I do is save at the pump.
    Your diesels ~40MPG is good mileage. But diesel fuel is drastically more expensive and they don't exceed 900 mile tanks like my own gasoline hybrid car does.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Well then who IS buying all of them so that there is none to be had? The ones I mentioned previously see the value of the Prius and can afford to buy it and pay for the upscale features What upscale features?
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    You said you knew what package 6 was?
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Small Car Interest Falls

    Three popular Internet car-shopping sites report notable drops in users seeking information on gas-electric hybrids and other fuel-efficient cars.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Aloha from Hawaii. I don't think the Prius is a big seller here. I have driven past the Toyota dealer several times and they have a new Prius sitting out front. I don't think it has moved. I may go by for a test drive tomorrow. What is amazing is the price of gas here is about the same as CA $2.779 per gallon. It is usually a lot more expensive.

    PS
    No way you can compare a Passat to a Prius. Only in a Prius drivers dreams. Jetta TDI is a better comparo. The Jetta TDI wagon is popular here in Hawaii with the Hollywood transplants. They are all using biodiesel. That is truly "green" not pale hybrid green. :)
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    Mahalo for you post! Hope you're enjoying the nice fresh air in Hawaii care of the trade winds. Hopefully you're not having Kona winds!

    Anyway...as you all know the TDIs are not sold in many "green" states for a reason. They spew out noxious fumes. Diesels do have a place in our country. In rigs transporting goods from one side of the continent to the other. Once we have "clean diesels" then I'd be interested. As to a Prius vs a TDI. If you like vibration and harshness, then the TDI is for you. Idling in a TDI is like sitting in those vibrating beds at Brookstone. Idling in a Prius? Sheer bliss.

    They're loving hybrids in Fiji too!!! Gotta love it!!

    http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=31295
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Let's watch the topics we're in and stay on topic. This one is for discussion of hybrid news items, not for comparing hybrids to diesels or whether hybrids actually save you money. The What's your reason for buying a Hybrid? and Paying more than MSRP for (new) Hybrids, Depreciation/Value of used Hybrids
    discussions are the places for that. I'll be moving posts to appropriate topics to keep things on track here.

    While we understand your passion for the subject, we also need your help to keep these discussions on topic.

    Thanks
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    Toyota May Be Developing Plug-Ins
    3 November 2005

    An industry newsletter reports that Toyota may be reconsidering its “no plug-in” mantra and be developing plug-in hybrids for the US, although the company still remains concerned about battery limitations.

    A Toyota presentation at the Tokyo Motor Show outlined the benefits of plug-ins, according to the story in Inside Fuels and Vehicles.

    The presentation concludes that plug-ins would perform as well or better than other motor vehicle technology—including regular battery-electric hybrids, all-electric vehicles and even fuel cell vehicles (if the hydrogen is obtained from natural gas)—in five criteria under assessment:

    1.

    Well-to-wheels carbon dioxide emissions;
    2.

    Emissions of criteria pollutants;
    3.

    Refueling infrastructure;
    4.

    Driving range; and
    5.

    Fuel diversity.

    The report suggests that Toyota may partner with Pacific Gas & Electric on the battery component, an approach not without precedent. Mitsubishi, for example, is working with Tokyo Electric on batteries and a recharging system for its new electric vehicle.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    PS
    No way you can compare a Passat to a Prius. Only in a Prius drivers dreams. Jetta TDI is a better comparo.


    OK, now that I've made my point. Show me why the the two shouldnt be compared since they are the same size with similar features.

    Prius BC vs Passat 2.0L Pckge 1 What are the critical differences?

    oops..didnt see you moved the comparo posts to another thread, my bad.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Rather than just posting a link to a news item, how about a little commentary from YOU about what it is you want to discuss about the new item? After all, it's the discussion between users that the forums are all about, not dueling news clips!

    So if you have a news item to share, get us talking about the aspect of it that you find interesting. If it blossoms into something that can really would be better discussed in more detail in one of our existing topics, we can move over there and continue.

    Let's kind of keep this topic as kind of a "highlight reel" where we touch on the latest news.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Copied from another source.

    November 1, 2005

    Toyota suspends Prius fleet sales in U.S. due to consumer demand

    Torrance, California – Toyota Motor Sales has temporarily suspended sales of its 2006 Prius gasoline/electric hybrid to government and rental fleets in the U.S., and is cancelling existing fleet order agreements, due to low inventories and an anticipated surge in retail consumer demand.

    The company is advising that availability will remain limited for commercial fleet buyers and that delivery times may be in excess of six months. The recent passage of the U.S. Federal Highway Bill, which permits retail tax credits and HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane eligibility for hybrid vehicles, has prompted the company to expect an increase in retail demand. Toyota will restore fleet availability once production volumes are sufficient to meet both retail and fleet order demand.


    Nov 1... Honda offers $1200 incentive on HAH due to flagging sales.
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    Thanks... I read that yesterday. Hard to imagine they still can't keep up with the demand EVEN with gas prices dropping. This tells me that people are not only buying the Prius with FE on their mind. They also know it's a good value with tons of content.
  • mirthmirth Member Posts: 1,212
    Went and saw the movie "In Her Shoes" with the wife last week. The fiance in the movie was driving a Prius. Hollywood is definitely trying to promote hybrids.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    After all, it's the discussion between users that the forums are all about, not dueling news clips!

    In the past I was including commentary on the news clips. The resulting discussions were deemed off topic by Edmunds hosts.

    Discussion is allowed. Good.
  • larsblarsb Member Posts: 8,204
    quote mirth-" Hollywood is definitely trying to promote hybrids."-end quote

    Nothing wrong with promoting Hybrids - I do it myself every day....

    But as far as what Hollywood is doing, let's analyze:

    Hollywood = Liberals
    Liberals = Environmentalists
    Environmentalists = Greenies
    Greenies = Prius Owners

    Nothing surprising there.... :shades:
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    Saw NCIS last week. Hollywood is definitely trying to promote Dodge Chargers. Then I watched CSI:Miami... I wonder how much GM pays Horatio to drive around in that Hummer?????
  • raychuang00raychuang00 Member Posts: 541
    Hollywood is definitely trying to promote hybrids.

    The Hollywood crowd was among the first to get hybrid cars with the first-generation Prius way back in 2001. Both Leonardo di Caprio and Cameron Diaz are among the earliest Prius owners around, if I remember. :)
  • heyjewelheyjewel Member Posts: 1,046
    http://www.autonews.com/defaultRegister.cms?newsId=13758

    Ah what the heck. Can make that up on gas in about a year.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    I actually thought the increase was going to be about $1000 considering the demand and potential rebate. Guess they dont wanna kill the goose so to speak.
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    kdhspyder,

    I thought we discussed this topic to death yesterday.

    Did you not say many of your customers buy a Prius not to replace luxury cars but to drive it as a second car?

    Your description above describes the Prius quite well, but unfortunately does not describe a Passat at all!

    Many people who buy a Passat are former luxury car owners who want to replace their luxury cars with a VW. Unlike the Prius, most are not buying a Passat as a second car!

    The fact that most people buy a Passat and a Prius for different reasons is in itself proof that both a Prius and a Passat are not comparable.

    In fact Intellichoice compared a Prius with a Malibu!

    Maybe Intellichoice's use of such a comparison is an intelligent choice! Certainly a better choice than a Passat.

    In fact IMO I dont even think a Prius can compete with a VW Jetta TDI!
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    What Makes A Hybrid Hot?
    Buyers seem to prefer ones that feel, um, weird to drive

    With gas sky-high, hybrids should be red hot. Well, yes and no. While the Toyota Prius sells in eight days, the Honda Accord hybrid takes some two months -- just shy of the industry average -- to exit the lot, says J.D. Power & Associates Inc. The Civic hybrid is no Prius, either; it takes 36 days to move.


    http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_46/b3959057.htm
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Score update

    It doesn't help any of the hybrid makers that fuel consumption fails to match what's advertised

    So is Businessweek not a credible news source or are they anti-hyrbrid crusaders with a hidden agenda to dismantle Toyota and Honda's hybrid endeavors? :P

    3 to 1 in my favor in terms of articles claiming that EPA is bogus for hybrids!

    Refer to Gagrice's businsessweek link post #3708 above.

    It appears gas savings are not a major issue for hybrid drivers since hybrids do not achieve great gas saving as claimed by EPA.

    The main selling point for a Prius is its weird and new feeling!

    I think it is amazing that the VW TDI is so popular without providing the weird feeling of a Prius! That in itself is a tesatment of the superiority of a VW TDI over a Toyota Prius.
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    Just last night they had a piece on 20/20 about this same topic. They touted that CR ONLY got 44 mpg with the Prius. In the same piece they said CR got 11 MPG in city driving with the Liberty CRD diesel. WOW... that's HALF of EPA. They even interviewed some lady from the EPA that said the numbers are half baked (not in those word though). I am very happy that I can easily get 50 MPG with a Prius. Gotta love it!!!!
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    http://www.hybridcars.com/blogs/hyview/hcci

    I really hope they're on the cusp of a substantial breakthrough. No need for diesels if they can perfect this technology. 65mpg is SWEET. Go Honda!!
  • larsblarsb Member Posts: 8,204
    http://www.sptimes.com/2005/11/07/Northpinellas/Clearwater_police_qui.shtml

    Weren't we just talking about Priuses and police departments last week? ;)

    Clearwater police quietly introduce hybrid sedans
    Several city departments will be trading in their gas guzzlers for environmentally, and financially, friendly vehicles.
    By AARON SHAROCKMAN
    Published November 7, 2005

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CLEARWATER - When the police chief rolled onto a burglary scene in a car resembling a white cocoon, no one recognized him. Not the crooks.

    Not even the cops.

    As governments search for ways to appear "green friendly" while potentially saving money for taxpayers, many are turning to hybrid vehicles that consume less fuel.

    Police Chief Sid Klein caught everyone off guard by driving his white Toyota Prius to the scene of a break-in last year.

    "I thought I could sneak up on them with my specialized electric vehicle," Klein said then.

    Now Clearwater will add six more hybrid sedans to the three it already owns, at a cost of $20,700 each. The new cars, all Toyota Priuses, will be split between the city departments, though the majority are earmarked for the police."

    During the yearlong tests in which Klein participated, Clearwater's hybrid Toyotas averaged between 40 and 58 miles per gallon. A standard Ford Taurus gets about 15 miles per gallon, according to the city.

    That means over 75,000 miles, according to the city's estimates, a hybrid could save $8,000 in gasoline costs - enough to offset the extra $6,000 to buy the car.
  • larsblarsb Member Posts: 8,204
    "When I see people driving around in big SUVs or Hummers in L.A., I just think it's ridiculous," actor Michael Keaton, a Prius owner, recently told the Times of London. "I mean, how heavy can your kids be?"

    OMG ROFLMTO that's hilarious !!! How heavy can your kids be, that's classic !!! :D:):D:) :shades: :D:D:D:D
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Someone who is in my neighborhood has six skinny kids and a skinny wife and surprisingly they do not drive a Prius?

    :P
  • falcononefalconone Member Posts: 1,726
    Maybe they drive a Hyundai? Still better off!! :P
This discussion has been closed.