The Lexus Hybrid is Toyotas’ first hybrid-only luxury model which will be sold in the US. The car is added to the line up of the highly successful Prius which is headed into its third generation in the not too distant future. With 60% of the entry level sedan buyers considering a hybrid model, Toyota could actually achieve its targets. A major factor of consideration for Toyota is the decline in the sale of fuel-efficient cars as the hybrid cars demand a premium of $3,000 to $5,000 over the regular gasoline powered competitors. The Lexus is roomier, wider and longer compared to the Prius so it may attract more buyers even on this count. 2010 Toyota Lexus HS 250h hybrid Toyota sells 75% of its hybrid cars in the United States. Therefore the estimates for the new entry level luxury hybrid may sound unrealisticl, but the reality could startle us in the near future, we only need to wait a year for the results. Oh, and have you noticed the trends in the price of fuel lately? On sale Oct. 2009 $37,500
This has been out - well the pics of it anyway, but I still haven't grown accustomed to the looks. It just looks like an overpriced Corolla and is about as underpowered. Just get a dang Prius if you want to have the hybrid aura.
I'm all for going green, but is the offset that much? My cousin has a jetta tdi that gets like 50mpg easy, but of course owning rigs, i know diesel is running a little higher than gas. The problem or advantages is that a good diesel will last you longer than any other motor. Thats what i never understood about dodge/chrysler. They make one of the best motors on the planet with the cummings, yet they only make it for trucks. If they had a line of cars that were fuel by diesel, they would be in a nother place ith fuel effeciency.
I think it has to do with emission standards, diesel gas is more expensive, and diesel cars have a bad rep in the U.S. I know there are diesel cars made by Ford and GM (?) overseas that do get high MPG but wouldn't be legal in the states. Link.
Its because for years us automakers have sat on their asses and didn't market the vehicle. I have a e class tdi and it gets 30 + mpg and its a big car. Its a mb, but at least they have the option. If there was a taurus tdi or chrysler 300c with a cummins, its would sell big time. Plus diesel motors are longer lasting. Its just stupid to me.
Just calculated how long it takes the savings in gas to pay off the premium for a hybrid (using several reasonable assumptions) -- about 7 years. Is it worth it? Discuss.
I actually think people are under the impression that they will be saving money in the long run, which they are, but I don't think most people realize how long it takes before they do start saving. If people were aware of how long it took before they started saving, I would bet Hybrid sales would not be near what it is now (which, if I'm not mistaken, aren't that hot as it is).
