Gasoline Prices Weigh On Car Purchase Decisions
Over in Mike's Neighborhood, Mike ran a post about the visit by the Big Three automakers paid to W before his trip to Vietnam. I disagreed with him on a couple points, particularly the significant effects that healthcare costs are having on the companies. However, a survey has come out bolstering his argument about the short-sightedness of the car manufacturers.
The highlights of the survey:
The survey was taken by Opinion Research Corp. and commissioned by the Civil
Society Institute, is the parent organization of 40mpg.org - a group that advocates setting the federal fuel efficiency standard for all passenger cars to 40 miles per gallon - and the Hybrid Owners of America.
So the auto makers aren't listening to what consumers want. While I didn't partake in the survey, my wife and I are planning on putting my old 97 Civic (30-35 mpg) out to pasture (115k miles) and buying a new car early in 2007. We worked out a compromise. We're getting a hybrid (my preference) that's bigger than the Honda (wife's preference): the 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid. We still have to test drive it of course, but at least we've come to terms.
If the Big Three are paying attention, maybe by the time we're ready to retire our 2000 Subaru Outback, they'll have something for us. They would be wise to take a clue from Toyota's Volta which has got SWEET written all over it.
\_/
DED
The highlights of the survey:
Most Americans expect gasoline prices to rise in the near future and 70% say they're factoring that into their new vehicle purchases...
The recent decline in gasoline prices from highs posted during the summer months isn't dampening interest in hybrid vehicles...
A survey of 1,016 adults polled by telephone showed that nine out of 10 expect gas prices to go up "in the near future."
45% of Americans are more likely to buy a "hybrid or other fuel-efficient vehicle" than they were six month ago, despite the dip in fuel prices.
Auto makers argue that government standards create artificial targets and that consumers are the best arbitrators of what kinds of vehicles should be offered.
The survey was taken by Opinion Research Corp. and commissioned by the Civil
Society Institute, is the parent organization of 40mpg.org - a group that advocates setting the federal fuel efficiency standard for all passenger cars to 40 miles per gallon - and the Hybrid Owners of America.
So the auto makers aren't listening to what consumers want. While I didn't partake in the survey, my wife and I are planning on putting my old 97 Civic (30-35 mpg) out to pasture (115k miles) and buying a new car early in 2007. We worked out a compromise. We're getting a hybrid (my preference) that's bigger than the Honda (wife's preference): the 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid. We still have to test drive it of course, but at least we've come to terms.
If the Big Three are paying attention, maybe by the time we're ready to retire our 2000 Subaru Outback, they'll have something for us. They would be wise to take a clue from Toyota's Volta which has got SWEET written all over it.
\_/
DED
posted by DED at 5:49 PM
5 Comments:
That's right, Ded. You listen to that Mike guy. ;-)
Actually, to play Devil's Advocate to my own argument, a poll is one thing. But the vote-via-payment is the only poll that matters. In other words, let's see if the consumers actually make purchases based on concern for fuel costs, or will they continue to chase the dream of the biggest SUV on the block.
Aside from hybrids, the Japanese manufacturers have actually given us a very nice range of compact, fuel-efficient offerings lately. The Honda Fit comes to mind, as well as the Nissan Versa, both of which have conventional engines that get mileage in the 30's.
Nothing from America's Big Three though. It's almost like they feel they have to maintain some sort of "America! Fuck effiency!" stance or they'll lose their street cred.
(Ironic side note: Over in Ireland, where I was amazed at the dazzling array of small people movers, the smallest of all was the Ka2. Manufactured by... Ford.)
I remember that (really small cars) about Ireland. My Civic would be considered a big, spacious car over there.
the future of future cars?
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/03/09/cars.hydrogen.popsci/index.html
Possibly. Don't hold your breath on Hydrogen happening any time soon. Lots of hurdles and with the economy in the toilet, I'd imagine that the investment needed to really push it along will be hard to find.
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