Hybrids Are Hot

[Starbug]

I found this on MSN Autos today. Seems that a lot of upcoming hybrids are SUVs and Trucks. I guess that's the only way to keep them in hot demand with gas prices being so rediculously high. I wish more passenger cars would also be made into hybrids. But at least this is a start.




"Automakers that used to downplay the viability of gasoline-electric hybrids are now embracing them."

MSN Autos - Hybrids Are Hot

[TonyPSchaefer]

I always enjoy reading articles for the language they use. It's often clear that the author either knows too much or is making sure that the reader doesn't. Case in point:

These vehicles have been garnering increasing attention from American consumers, primarily because many hybrids provide improved fuel economy over comparable gas-only models.[/b]

The author didn't say, "...because hybrids provide..." but had to qualify it and indicate that some simply don't.

Also, this quote makes me wonder if it's truly a "doubling" since the vehicles are "twins."

Ford Motor Co. doubled its hybrid vehicle offerings to two at the start of the 2006 model year with the addition of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, which is a twin of the Ford Escape Hybrid. [/b]

And Ford quickly promised a lot more would be coming by 2010. [/b]

But not the 250,000 number promised by Bill Ford last year. Links [HERE] and [HERE]

Perhaps the world's auto industry realized that grandiose plans for a shift to hydrogen-powered vehicles—at one time predicted by General Motors Corp. officials to start in 2010—are unrealistic. For one thing, little concrete work has been done in most countries on hydrogen infrastructures, such as "filling stations" that could handle large numbers of consumers.[/b]

First of all, d'uh! And secondly, that's a nice to shift of the focus to someone other than the manufacturers as not to offend.

And maybe it was just too much for automakers to stand by and watch as Toyota and Honda build reputations—true or not—as environmentally caring , high-tech automakers.[/b]

Ohhhhhh. What a back-handed gesture indeed.

I'll read the rest of the article but it seems to me that there's too much fodder for me to pick apart.

[TonyPSchaefer]

Oh Oh oh!!
One more!

Diesel engines are becoming cleaner and could even be combined with electric power for diesel-electric hybrid technology. [/b]

I distinctly remember reading a very well-written article about three cars manufactured here in the United States way back in 2000. I believe those three cars were manufactured one from each of the Then-Big-3 and achieved at least 55+ MPG. (that was sarcasm, the Big-3 already made deisel-hybrids)

So to say that the technology "could" be combined is to ignore the fact that it already was but that it was apperantly abandoned.

[Jeannie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Jul 12 2006, 06:06 PM) [snapback]285230[/snapback]</div>

I always enjoy reading articles for the language they use. It's often clear that the author either knows too much or is making sure that the reader doesn't. Case in point:The author didn't say, "...because hybrids provide..." but had to qualify it and indicate that some simply don't.
[/b]

The statement is literally true - the Prius doesn't offer savings over a comparable gas-only model - no gas-only car is comparable to a Prius! The statement is true for the Escape, Highlander, Civic, Accord and Camry, at least, because those cars offer both hybrid and gas-only models.

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Starbug @ Jul 12 2006, 04:46 PM) [snapback]285215[/snapback]</div>

Seems that a lot of upcoming hybrids...[/b]

Yes, let's use that word "seems" more often.

HYBRID TYPES is a summary (now available in download & print format) that I've been updating for years, knowing that consumers are going to be overwhelmed with media & automaker spin. All hybrids are not created equal. People need to understand why.

As for the article, they heavily used the generic term "hybrids" for too often. It definitely reinforces the false impression that they all operate in a similar manner... even though that couldn't be further from the truth. That's troubling.

[Jeannie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Jul 12 2006, 06:36 PM) [snapback]285245[/snapback]</div>

As for the article, they heavily used the generic term "hybrids" for too often. It definitely reinforces the false impression that they all operate in a similar manner... even though that couldn't be further from the truth. That's troubling.
[/b]

I agree it's 'troubling', but if this widely-distributed article causes a few people to start researching hybrid cars in more depth, I'm sure several of them will eventually buy a hybrid. I was reading about Hybrids and other technologies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels since my son pointed me to an article about Honda's concept for a fuel cell car, last century, and I've pretty much wanted a Prius since they first came out in the US, lusting even more when the 2004 models hit the market, but I had a perfectly good car with less than 50,000 miles on it, and couldn't justify buying a different car. My old car was totalled in April and I was lucky enough to buy a 2006 Prius 8 days later, having test driven some econoboxes and a used Prius and saying "I'm going to get one NOW!"

I can well understand your frustration with inaccurate reporting, John, but look at it as a form of advertising - you never expect an ad to be 100% accurate, but they influence us to some extent anyway!

[Salsawonder]

I agree with Jeannie that anything that sparks the interest of the public is good "overall". Having said that you need to remember that a large percentage of the American public likes to be spoon fed so be careful about who is holding the spoon.

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeannie @ Jul 12 2006, 05:47 PM) [snapback]285252[/snapback]</div>

I can well understand your frustration with inaccurate reporting, John, but look at it as a form of advertising - you never expect an ad to be 100% accurate, but they influence us to some extent anyway!
[/b]

Too some extent ?!? That's an understatement. There is a definite influence to learn more. And far more referrals to my website come from random web searches, rather than a link from PriusChat. So it could be articles like this responsible for that.

When people take it upon themselves to look up info on their own, that's a very good sign.

Unfortunately, some people just take those articles as the final word... blissfully unaware that there is more story to be told still.