Although the high price of gas has many U.S. car buyers considering a vehicle with a hybrid powertrain, a new survey reveals that few are willing to fork over the extra cash for a hybrid when it’s time to sign on the dotted line. However, new safety and technology packages continue to climb the “must have” list.
According to J.D. Power and Associates‘ 2008 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study, 72 percent of car buyers said they were very interested in hybrid technology – ranking fifth on J.D. Power’s list — but that number plummeted to just 46 percent – or eighth place – when it was revealed that a hybrid drivetrain would add about $5,000 to the cost of a vehicle.
Safety systems took the top two spots on the survey — blind spot detection and backup assist, respectively – but consumers dropped blind spot detection to number when they learned of its $500 price tag, leaving the number one position for backup assist technology.
In dash navigation also scored well – coming in at number three – but dropped like a rock to the number eighteen spot when it was revealed that the option would set buyers back about $1,800.
06/24, 5:40 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Another Pulitzer worth piece of journalism. You can figure out the cost of hybrid in Honda Civic (LX + 4K), but there is no comparable Prius car in Toyota lineup. In either case can some one point out to a dealership where you can waltz in and buy either Prius or Civic hybrid from the dealer’s stock? There is 6 weeks waiting list for Prius on average.
06/24, 5:47 PM
posted by:
A4
it PLUMMETED to half of the people… thats a pretty good number in my book.
06/24, 5:54 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I think what the people are saying is that if it those items are standard items, they may influence the buyer to go for that model. But if it’s an option, they wouldn’t add the option due to price.
Duh. They want those things for free. I want free stuff. Don’t you?
06/24, 6:18 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
Toyota of Dallas has the Prius in stock. FYI…
Also, are people seriously bitching over $500 for Blind-spot protection?! the cars that have that are in the $30K+ range so 500 shouldn’t matter for crap. it shouldn’t even really on a 20K vehicle either.
06/24, 6:28 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
@beatusmongous
I believe your kind of right. It’s not that they want free stuff as much as they want value to some of these things. The consumer want a good price for these items. Safety items have gone from costly to relatively cheap. Items such as hybrids and navi. systems price have stayed high and at times when packaged with other options have seem to increase prices that consumer aren’t willing to pay for. Manufacture have to start bringing some of these features to a better price point.
06/24, 6:39 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
Many people are going away from hybrids not only because of the price. It is also because of the association of the Hollywood ‘elite’ that think they are saving us all by driving a hybrid. That has trickled down to the regular consumers, and there is a certain stigma with driving a hybrid that says, ‘I’m better than you’, and many people don’t like that. They’d rather drive a regular Civic/Corolla/Mazda3 and get 6 less mpg, but not look like a prick. You know, like A4.
06/24, 6:46 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
Personally, I think the reality is catching up to the perception. The story has been aroung long enough that it is finally sinking in…
Although I have to laugh a little at the locals who just bought their priuses here. I’m in a rural area, no traffic, no stop lights to speak of. But some people are a little slow…
Like 1115!
06/24, 7:06 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
Danny, sorry to correct you, but I heard it was not a great dane but a donkey that retired from Tijuana with A4’s mom. Guess the donkey got tired of all the shows….
06/24, 7:10 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’m just too f*cking cheap to pay full sticker on any new vehicle no matter what it is. While it’s all rose farts and sunshine giggles to say you’re part of the green gang because you drive a hybrid, truth is you could have bought a similar three or four year old 4 cylinder vehicle for a quarter of the price and put gas in it for the next 10 years and still be ahead. When the day comes that gas is $3 a litre in Canada or $10 a gallon US, then I’ll contemplate a hybrid. Since, however, that is (hopefully) still a few years away I’ll let the good folks who need to make their statement now pay the full shot so that with any luck I don’t have to later.
06/24, 7:45 PM
posted by:
A4
hey that was a good ****ing donkey you asshole, pulled a plow alongside dannys aborted fetus sister
06/24, 8:21 PM
posted by:
purdue
I bought a used Prius. 52-53 mpg average so far. Nice car.
06/24, 11:15 PM
posted by:
Kaizen
Just saw the NG Prius this morning. 2009 shall be interesting.
06/25, 8:04 AM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
I heard hybrids give you nut cancer from the extra EMF’s emitted. Plus, they look totally retarded.
06/25, 10:56 AM
posted by:
Buhbye
When the diesels arrive, hybrids will be worthless. They are already worthless as used cars due to the high price of the batteries, manufacturing pollution, and disposal pollution.
06/25, 7:02 PM
posted by:
Gundy
I know I’ve beat this dead horse before, but for $5250 I got a used 2002 Saturn SL-1 with a 5-speed and I get 42+ mpg. I know I pollute more than a hybrid would pollute, but for the extra $20,000 I’d have to spend to buy a brand new hybrid, I’ll just have to live with that..