Chuck
03-08-2007, 11:49 AM
BusinessWeek declares hybrids to be a hard sell. I'll actually agree on some things with them, such as reducing the cost, and most won't buy unless pump prices spike.
Still, I have to laugh at the way the near-sightness of the article makes the future of hybrids seem almost as grim as Ford or Chrysler Group
In fact, in February, carmakers spent an average of $1,500 on incentives per hybrid, says Edmunds—triple what they laid out in January.
The discounting helped the likes of Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford post decent sales in February, but, as the Big Three know all too well, ladling out incentives is no way to make decent profits.
....Pulling that off (increased hybrid sales) will require deft marketing, especially since the government this fall will start requiring a more accurate measure of fuel economy. The Prius' claimed 55 mpg will likely drop to a less compelling 46 mpg. Both Toyota and Ford are planning major advertising campaigns. And discounts on all hybrids are here to stay for a while.
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/mar2007/bw20070308_093177.htm
Still, I have to laugh at the way the near-sightness of the article makes the future of hybrids seem almost as grim as Ford or Chrysler Group
In fact, in February, carmakers spent an average of $1,500 on incentives per hybrid, says Edmunds—triple what they laid out in January.
The discounting helped the likes of Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford post decent sales in February, but, as the Big Three know all too well, ladling out incentives is no way to make decent profits.
....Pulling that off (increased hybrid sales) will require deft marketing, especially since the government this fall will start requiring a more accurate measure of fuel economy. The Prius' claimed 55 mpg will likely drop to a less compelling 46 mpg. Both Toyota and Ford are planning major advertising campaigns. And discounts on all hybrids are here to stay for a while.
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/mar2007/bw20070308_093177.htm