A survey conducted by J D Power disclosed that the buyers for the hybrid vehicles were on a decline during the last year. The stats expose the fact that only fifty percent of the vehicle punters are considering to pay money for any gasoline hybrid electric vehicle, it is seven percent less then the last year when it stood at fifty seven percent.
There can be a lot of reasons following the fall in the figures: the buyers have a more pragmatic understanding of the real capabilities regarding the fuel economy. Secondly, majority of the hybrids bear the same nameplates and just look identical to the non-hybrid models on the road. The buyers don’t seem ready for paying thousands of extra dollars for the hybrid if they have got a look alike right athwart the outlet.
Some of the interesting facts revealed by the report are:
In the year 2006 a huge 73% of the shoppers ranging between the age group 16 and 25 were interested in the hybrids. The numbers have fallen significantly for the year 2007 winding in for just a 60%.
While people are declining from the hybrid segment, it has been a rise for the diesel power. People considering the diesel powered vehicles have grown upto 23% which was just 12% of the total car shoppers last year.
The discussions with a number of car shoppers revealed that the people were willing to spend a whole lot of $2,396 extra on a hybrid powertrain version, all if it can perk up the mileage by 18.5 miles per gallon. Now if we talk about the diesel powertrain people are expecting to pay $1,491 more for a diesel version, with an expected 15mpg improved fuel economy.
Mike Marshall, director of Automotive Emerging Technologies at J D Power expressed his views: ‘As the automotive industry steadily offers more alternative powertrain/fuel options to consumers, buyer preferences will continue to shift the market in the coming years’
The consumer research company also primed an automotive environmental index which placed various auto companies in order with there fuel economy and emission levels. The index stand on the information provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and various vehicle owners.
Toyota has made a rise of six ranks from the last year’s environmental index and is placed with highest ranking; Volkswagen and Honda pursue it next in the index. Toyota has got the highest ranking in the index with the highest number of vehicles, than any other manufacturer around.
Now if we try to look at the individual performances, hybrid Prius from Toyota motors is a success story in itself. In this year the company’s first half sales reached an astonishing 94,503 units which includes 17,756 of the Prius. Considering that the company produces five other hybrid vehicles, the sales figures are not encouraging. The non-conventional looks of the Prius can perhaps be the reason for its becoming an instant hit.
Honda motors, one of the pioneers in the hybrid business has decided to stop the production of its Accord hybrid and its other hybrid, civic is also facing a steep decline in sales.
Same is the story with all of the other hybrid manufacturers; Ford Motors was just able to sell 11,444 of its hybrid sports utility vehicle Escape. The sales figures are for the first half of this year. Talking about Nissan, it looks the company has a non serious approach towards its hybrid sedan Altima, which is not even distributed nationally.
Other than the fuel economy a different reason for buying a hybrid seems that the people want to give a statement regarding energy and environment.
Presently one of the best chances for hybrid vehicles is that the scientists come out with plug in hybrids, which can run long distances with just plug in batteries, can easily be charged from the power grid. But the chances for the development of such technology seem to be in the distant future.
Money.cnn.com :Courtesy: Forbes
[Image: evworld]
