Hybrid Shootout -- Civic versus Prius
Our Hybrid Comparison Test
posted yesterday with all the details on why the Prius beat the Civic Hybrid. It was actually a virtual tie in final percentage score, but with both better acceleration and better mileage it's clear Toyota has the technology race won here. But the Civic is the undisputable king of handling dynamics, and most of the editors liked the Civic's interior and exterior design better. They're both effective showcases for each company's efforts in terms of maximizing fuel economy...
Hello? Domestics? Are you listening?
"hello Domestics, are you listening?"
question: how many Chrysler 300's with the Hemi's have been sold this year ...vs... Prius? How many Toyota Camrys ..vs.. Prius ?
Isn't the Prius sales a fraction of either of those? If so, that is partly why Detroit isn't listening.
Haha, the only reason the Prius isn't selling more than it already is is because there is a supply shortage. Demand for the Prius still outstrips supply by quite a bit.
2005 November YTD Prius sales: 98,870
2005 November YTD Camry sales: 398,379
2005 November YTD Chrysler 300 sales: 131,866 (all, not just hemis)
The Prius will probably outsell the 300 next year.
Sources:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/12/01/153635.html
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/12/01/153776.html
sorry, here's the data more legibly:
2005 November YTD Prius sales: 98,870
2005 November YTD Camry sales: 398,379
2005 November YTD Chrysler 300 sales: 131,866 (all, not just hemis)
...or not. i added html line breaks, and it came out okay in the preview. weird.
I wonder if Ford would have put the 2.3l hybrid powertrain in the Focus instead of in the Escape, how they'd do against Toyota and Honda. But there's a higher profit margin in SUVs.
A hybrid Focus would probably do well if the mileage were in the high 40s to 50s, especially if they retained their reputed handling characteristics (I've never driven one). I think there are still quite a few people who would prefer to buy a hybrid from one of the traditional Big 3. I hesitate to say "American company" because they are all so international now.
SUV's need hybrid engines/drives more than compact cars. Compact cars (and yes, I include the Prius as a compact, no matter what the EPA says) already get good mileage. Ford has two hybrid SUV's, Honda has two hybrid cars. Hello? Honda? Are you listening?
Ford actually has one hybrid SUV, but two die molds for exterior badging.
Still, my comment stands - I don't think Honda Civic buyers are all that worried about their gas mileage. SUV's like the Highlander, Escape, and RX400 are where we should head with this. Imagine the F-150 with decent gas mileage - these are the people I hear griping about gas prices.