Obama Bolsters U.S. Hybrid Automobile Sales in Waning Consumer Market – Bloomberg. There are several sound reasons why consumers are not buying hybrids:
Ford Fusion Hybrid
1) They are more expensive- According to the Bloomberg article, hybrids are $7,000 to $25,000 more expensive than the same all-gas engine model. There is no possible way to recoup the extra cost at current fuel prices.
2) Hybrids do not perform as well as conventional cars- the higher end models are closer in performance, but they still don’t match the gas-engined alternatives.
3) There is better technology available now- Variable-displacement powerplants, which disable cylinders until needed, are available from many manufaturers including GM and Chrysler. The Chrysler 300 C Hemi V-8 offers musclecar acceleration, as well as 30 MPG on the highway. The 2011 Ford Mustang comes standard with a 300 HP V-6 that delivers over 30 highway MPG.
The government will continue to prop up the hybrid car market, because that is what governments do- they attempt to pick winners and force behavior changes by spending taxpayer money in ways that taxpayers would not. Given that gasoline prices are relatively stable and currently average $3 per gallon or less, consumers will continue to vote with their wallets for the higher levels of comfort, performance, and safety that larger American cars, trucks, and SUV’s provide.
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