So yes, GM & Ford need to get off their butts and make full-size and mid-size hybrid sedans under $30 k, preferably under $25 k. They must get at least 50 and 60 mpg, respectively, to compete with the 3G Prius.

But as gas prices continue to rise far faster than our incomes, year after year, we can’t just ask the isolated question, “can you afford to spend $35,000 on a hybrid?”

Even people who follow EV & hybrid developments closely, still aren’t realizing just how soon pure internal-combustion vehicles will become unaffordable.

When buying a vehicle, one must consider how much gas is likely to cost OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. It doesn’t matter what gas costs when you buy the vehicle. What matters is what you guess gas will cost, on average, over, say, the next 7 years.

Chinese and Indian oil consumption is soaring, and it’s widely suspected that Saudi Arabia no longer has enough free capacity to boost production enough to lower prices. Thus, it’s a safe bet that total global demand will continue to go up faster than supply. Gas prices will continue to rise faster than the general rate of inflation (and faster than the growth in our after-tax incomes).

It’s easy to see gas reaching $5 in 2009 and $6 in 2010. And that doesn’t account for any spikes if there’s a war with Iran, further deterioration of Venezuela’s inept government-run oil operations, further insurgent sabotage in Nigeria, or a collapse in Iraq.

In that context, can the average family afford NOT to buy a plug-in hybrid at $35 k?

When I buy the Chevy Volt or a plug-in Escape, I will have a huge vehicle loan payment each month. It will be hard to afford. Other people will have a much lower loan payment, but then go out and blow the entire difference at the pump as I cruise by in all-electric mode…..

As a reply to a couple of the posts above:
1. Lincoln is not owned by GM, it is owned by Ford. Also, Lincoln doesn’t even sell the Continental anymore. Besides that, you’re saying that making a CF body is the cheapest way to add fuel economy to a luxury car? It’s possible, but will likely be debated by at least a few people. Finally, the CF market has had its hands full lately, I can’t imagine what a large-scale increase in demand would do to the market.
2. The Model T would have gotten off the ground regardless of how GM treated their customers, as this vehicle was also built by Ford.
3. Corvette sedan?? First, that goes against Corvette heritage and IMO should NEVER happen. Second (and more appealing to other users on this site), you really want them to build more 16/26 mpg cars? … see final quote of this post.

If you’re going to bash, at least get your facts straight. It would also be nice to see some links for data/reports/other information which supports any non-firsthand experience claims. I’d definitely like to see a link to the “230 mpg” Aptera, and how they calculated this figure. Also, some market data to support views on projected sales would be a plus.

I have to admit I did laugh out loud at this post though, great timing and delivery

“
GM at a board meeting:
“So can anyone here offer us new ways to fail?”
A roomful of hands shoot up like elementary school children.
“

Good Luck!!

I have to wonder if the CEO’s of GM wants future jobs?? With cut backs and a lack of concerned for customers is a sign that the wrong people are running GM. I wonder if the model “T” would have gotten off the ground if they treated customer then they way GM now treats future and returning customers. With GM being one of two that have Hybrid Trucks (Silverado) and Hybrid full size SUV (Tahoe). Do you really want to corner the market when Dealers talk to future and returning customers that Hybrid is not worth the extra 2 miles a gallon, and to top it off and you expect consumers to afford $50,000 for a truck to save money on gas? One of the Salesman at the GMC Altus, OK., sounded as if they would never carry any Hybrids on their lot and tried everything he could to talk me out of one. My father was a Ford man and I’ve been a GM man most of my life. The 2-Mode hybrid system is great for oversized vehicles and I’d love to see them succeed. They won’t because of the mentality of GM leadership and the dealers. They price it out of the market, low supply, dealers adding more to the price and talking them down.

Do you want future and returning customers… make them real offers… real cut backs!!!
Do you want to keep customers that are loyal to American cars and trucks? Show that you can be loyal to American customers… because Senators and Congressmen have shown they don’t support the American Public.