Comments on: Lack of Production Hurting U.S. Hybrid-Makers

By: KP

KP — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:10:32 +0000

You just have to look around. Tons of dealers in the DC area told me I'd never get a Hybrid Escape Then I found a dealer in Annapolis, MD that had 9 of them on the lot. I got it for significantly below MSRP (but above invoice). They weren't fun to deal with, but I got what I wanted (although I think I could have saved a little more if I wanted to spend a few more hours on it).

They didn't know anything about the vehicles, and they didn't seem to think they could go without selling it that day.

Some of the dealers I called were incredibly rude. I find it hard to believe that US car dealers would want to turn away business.

By: Mark T

Mark T — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:35:49 +0000

Escape Hybrids use some of Toyota's Hybrid patents. I wonder if the licensing is 'limited' as to how many units Ford can produce at the KC Assembly Plant.

That way Toyota can state they licensed the technology for the good of the public while still keeping the competition at bay.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:46:56 +0000

In 2000 I got rid of my 1987 T-bird and bought a jetta TDI. The TDI gets 45 mpg. 6 months ago i sold my 1998 expedition with almost 150000 miles on it. I looked around but american car companies dont offer a car that gets the mpg close to what japanese car companies offer. So we bought a 2005 Prius. With two fuel effecient cars my gas bill has fallen to almost nothing. i care about the ecology but i care about my wallet more. i bet i’m not the only guy out there who has gone to foreign made cars. Ford better get a clue.

By: Powers Foss

Powers Foss — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:13:35 +0000

We bought our first Prius in 2004 when the 2nd generation was brand new. We liked it so much we bought a 2005 Prius for my wife. I currently get 50 mpg and my wife gets 45 mpg. I’m gonna get in line early to be the first one to drive off the lot with the 3rd generation lithium-ion plug-in 2010 Prius. Can’t wait to see the kind of mileage we can get in next gen Prii.

By: Collin Burnell

Collin Burnell — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:56:06 +0000

Hmmm. It looks like GM has a history of ‘killing’ anything that might effect their ‘core business’…

http://www.joesherlock.com/nwsltr24.html

http://www.baycrossings.com/Archives/2003/03_April/paving_the_way_for_buses_the_great_gm_streetcar_conspiracy.htm

By: Glenn Louderback

Glenn Louderback — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:55:52 +0000

good letter Jeff. Lots of truth!

By: ex-EV1 driver

ex-EV1 driver — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:40:49 +0000

Its happening again. The US automakers are trying to kill anything with a battery. Its just like they did with the EV1. They only offered it in CA and AZ. Only leased it. Tried to talk you out of getting one. Made it almost impossible to get.

Then they told everyone that no one wanted them because they were only able to lease about 1200 of them. Of course, they only made about 1200 of them in the first place.

Ford clearly has a great design with the FEH yet they refuse to mass-produce it. Refuse to move the power plant into any other kind of vehicle (Mustang, Mini-Van, Sedan, etc). Refuse to try to sell it.

All this does is add credence to the naysayers who grumble about the "hybrid penalty".

We're all watching the efforts to ensure that the electric car remains dead.

Detroit is acting like a bunch of buggy whip salesmen that refuse to give up on their traditional business making iron engines and transmissions.

Thank god for Tesla Motors and the other new guys trying to make a stab in the PHEV and BEV markets. Its just too bad that their approaches are going to take so long to make it into the mainstream.

By: wants a plugin

wants a plugin — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:28:37 +0000

bought ’06 Escape HEV before the rush. Was good thing to do. 35-36 in town no problem. Learned to drive light footed. However, it is a FORD. Man, what they could learn about building a body that doesn’t shake, rattle and roll.

By: max savage

max savage — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:56:45 +0000

Car buyers in America are just a reflection of many Americans these days…. Angry!!! Our desire for advanced technology vehicles (hybrids, plug in hybrids, diesels,) are treated in the same way that our desire for better government is treated……. We are ignored. The Japanese will come to the rescue (again) at the cost of more market share loss to American companies. You reap what you sow. Here is my suggestion… Speak with your wallet. Pledge to not buy another new vehicle until you can buy a plug in hybrid. I am sure that my next new car purchase will be another Toyota.

By: Jerome

Jerome — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:35:48 +0000

Tried and tried here in Des Moines for a Ford or Mariner Hybrid SUV since my wife was not crazy moving away from a mini-van. All the dealers have my business card with instructions to call as soon as they have on to test drive. Gave them a month – bought a Camry Hybrid in Sept of ’07….. still waiting on a call from Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer.

It is pitiful….. the American Car Buyer does not truly care about the cost of gas (see jjspawn above)…. they want a specific type of vehicle or size or status – which means that gas prices here will continue to climb, carbon output will continue to grow and those of us with Hybrids wince less when we fill up @ the tank.