USA Today article about falling gas prices/Prius sales

It's 33 combined, but that information as well as city is intentionally withheld. Only highway is mentioned. You get the impression of being equal on all measures, but that couldn't be further from the truth. MPG for Prius is far better (emissions are too).

For example... Diesel Chevrolet Cruze to get 46 mpg, matching Toyota Prius C

DETROIT - General Motors Co. says the new diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze gets 46 miles per gallon on the highway, making it more efficient than some hybrids.

GM announced the U.S. EPA's fuel economy numbers for the diesel Cruze Wednesday.

At 46 mpg, the diesel Cruze matches the highway fuel economy of the Toyota Prius C subcompact. But the regular Prius hybrid still does better, at 48 mpg...

 

So, a cold ICE in a garage will get 46 mpg on the highway for those who live in a rest area I suppose.

 

Thanks! http://wot.motortrend.com/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-epa-rated-46-mpg-highway-mentions 27/33/46 mpg (city/combined/highway).

That would put its combined and city mileage at worse than these VW TDIs: Compare Side-by-Side.

Lame article from newsday.

What's worse is garbage like this: Best Non-Hybrid Ever: This Chevy Will Get 46 MPG | Wall St. Cheat Sheet.

Let's see, from Fuel Economy, I see numerous diesels that get better than 33+ mpg combined.

And at Fuel Economy, I see a bunch of non-hybrid gasoline cars that get 33+ mpg combined.

 

Diesels might closely match hybrids when it comes to highway mileage, but hybrids rule in city stop and go driving. Hybrids burn almost no fuel in the EV mode stopped. Diesels still burn fuel when stopped at idle.

 

It sounds like the original USA Today reporter (which was linked to by the OP) wants to say something he couldn't or didn't want to say outright:

Rising (inflationary) gas prices = healthy economy;
declining (deflationary) gas prices = sickly economy.

More precisely, it sounds like this reporter wants to suggest that Toyota's top brass in the USA (Lentz) may be forecasting a difficult time selling more Prii this year not because gas prices are low but because when gas prices are low the US economy will be so weak this year won't be able to support additional sales growth.

 

There is a bigger 'elephant' in the room, engine overhead.

Just to keep any engine, diesel or Atkinson, turning over, fuel is consumed at a small but non-trivial rate. One aspect seldom understood is when our Prius turns off the engine while in hybrid-mode speeds, it is also turning off the partial power and idle fuel burn. In effect, the Prius engine avoids running in inefficient, low-power modes where a significant fraction is consumed dealing with valve overhead, oil pump, and piston drag. Turning them does not come free.

Bob Wilson

 

If we look at the late 70s early 80s, high gas prices, sick economy. In fact the high gas prices were part of the reason for the bad economy. 90s, low gas prices rapidly growing economy. Gas prices are controlled by OPEC, and are related to world demand and opec politics. Gas prices have fallen a little because of slower than expected Chinese demand, and recession in Europe.

US demand for cars is quite strong, and light vehicle sales are up this year. It is a bright spot in the stagnant US economy.

I think there is definitely an agenda. He referereced this article, which makes you say, huh. Prius family sales are down in a good car economy because of competition, much of it from other toyota hybrids.
Toyota Says Prius Line May Not Reach 2013 U.S. Target - Bloomberg

In fact year over year hybrid sales were up 14.2% in the first quarter, while over all light vehicle sales were up 6.3%. That sounds like a very healthy hybrid car market in the US.

Why was this asked in the article? The assumption is that Japanese production increases the cost of the prius. Lowering the price might increase US sales, and increase prius sales. Toyota is now offering incentives, to help it reach its goal of 250K units.

Its just one month, and prices fluctuate, they were higher than 2012 in January. Hybrid sales are up not down.

 

I didn't draw attention to it but we've seen at least three, possibly four consecutive months where the hybrid share was just over 3%. In the past, going over 3% of the new car sales were "one-of" associated with unique spikes in fuel or other external reasons. Of course back then the single model, Prius was dominant. Now that there is a family of Prius and even though 'inflated', a credible Ford presence, well there is chance we'll see 4%.

What is disappointing is Honda's sales collapse as a percentage of sales. I understand why but they've really become a weak player.

Bob Wilson

 

It's true all right. The US is stuffed with people who laugh at the Prius when fuel prices are low(er), then whine that the Prius is not discounted when fuel prices rise.

 

association does not imply causation. Even if you say so.

 

Yea we bought a 13 Prius 2 last week. The wife loved the 13 Sentra based on looks and projected MPG. I looked on fuely and found no one was getting more than 33 combined MPG on it. The Prius can get over 50 combined MPG depending on the driver and that with the guarantee gas prices will only go up made it a no brainer for us.

 

Sales manager at Piercey Toyota claimed Prius sales are tied to gas prices.

 

Certainly lots of people claim hybrid sales are entirely dependant on high gas prices, but....

Ask your sales manager, if prius sales are down because of gas prices, why are hybrid sales up? They are up over 14% this year.

 

Some people will always buy sporty cars regardless of gas prices.
Some people will always buy fuel efficient cars regardless of gas prices.

For the people in-between, some subpopulation will buy a car based on their most recent experiences. If gas prices are going up, they will be concerned about how high gas will go and will buy a fuel efficient car. Had these same people waited 6 more months, when fuel prices were declining, they probably would buy a sportier car because gas prices are declining.

Basically, society has encouraged short sighted policies and decision making. Live for today and don't worry about tomorrow.

 

Long Island gas prices from July 2009 to date. Trend line is... up.

 

Whatever the reason we got 0% financing on our new 2013 Prius on Saturday! Hooray!!!!!!!!! Haven't seen 0% in ages. This alone will save me 3 grand.

 

I sort of wish Toyota would make a non-hybrid_Prius-"ICE" so we could see the MPG difference and price difference, and calculate the economics of the hybrid feature. Prius features two big things: extraordinary practicality and highest MPG.

 

For the most part, wouldn't the Corolla be the closest to that?

 

I like a wagon or hatchback so maybe better fit is something like that.