Honda Accord Hybrid, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h - these are the second-generation hybrids. Whatever the hype there was during their launch, now dealers have to no option but to offer incentives to make sales.
Honda Insight, Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid - these are the first generation Hybrids. They sold extremely well due to the fuel efficiency factor. So, where did the second generations go wrong?
Stress on performance enhancement with minimal improvements in fuel economy over their non-hybrid siblings — is the causative factor. Ok, these cars zoom faster with the help of a small electric motor but with only slight increase in gas mileage - a few miles per gallon in most cases.
Alex Rosten, manager of pricing and market analysis with Edmunds.com states:
Right now, hybrid buyers don’t care about the technology; they want better mileage.
Leaving you with this statement, I would like to call the attention of Hybrid makers to set their priorities right.
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