Letters to the Editor
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Just thinking about the count, and curious about it.
One question, is this the hybrid Explorer we're talking about, or all Explorers?
Can we get sense of hybrid vehicles(including Ford Explorer Hybrids) vs. SUV's(small[Tahoe] and large[Suburban]).
Should crossovers like the Subaru B9 count?
Or for that matter, considering some small cars that aren't hybrids get better mileage than the Prius, would a tally of cars averaging over 40 mpg vs. Cars and SUV's averaging less than 30 be worth looking at. Don't ask me what to do with the grey area in the 30 mpg zone, nothing is black and white, at least not to me.
I only leave out pick-ups because I'm a contractor and I'd like to not try to find the percentage of people who buy 3/4 ton Sierra's or F-250's as driving around vehicles.
Anyway, I'm bored, so I'll take a look around.
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Rumors
For What It's Worth, there are rumors that the 2010 Prius will break 100 mpg (with lithium batteries?), and that Toyota is planning on increasing Prius production dramatically.
It's not clear whether that mileage is "pure", or if they're finangling the numbers with plug-in capability. It's also not known whether this would be a standard-sized Prius or a smaller derivative vehicle.
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Not surprised about car sales in Turkey
In 2000, one Turkish New Lira was worth $0.623
In 2007, one Turkish New Lira was worth $1.431
U.S. median income has hardly changed over this period of time. I don't know how Turkish median income is doing, but even if it stood still like U.S. median income, the median Turk's income more than doubled compared to the median U.S. income.
No wonder they can afford stuff and we can't.
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Hybrid Tahoe
Greetings
At the auto show the other and GMC was pushing their Tahoe SUV Hybrid. Frankly for those of us who need to carry more than the contents of an "opera purse" the teeny roller skate hybrids are not an option.
Interesting to see how the hybrid/green tech scales over time.
Enjoy the journey
WarLord
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Talk about pointless contests
The Ford Explorer Hybrid and the Prius are not even in the same category of car -- why compare their sales numbers? Why not tally Mini-Coopers to cement trucks I'm sure there is a shocking juxtaposition of numbers there.
I have nothing against the Prius -- other than it is butt ugly -- but the work I ask of my Escape '08 Hybrid would render the venerable Prius into a heap of junk in no time -- and that is assuming you could even get it up (and down) the off-road trails I use. The Escape is a damn fine car for quality, drivability, looks, and it can go off-road and has decent cargo carrying. Ford got it right but they didn't intend it to displace Prius sales.
Dig up the story of Manhattan and SF using the Escape Hybrids as taxi cabs. Want to try that with a Prius?
Speaking of sales -- both Prius and Escape have waiting lists. Ford's sales are limited by production as are Toyota's, otherwise you would see tons of inventory around. Go to the dealership to see how many they have and you will see they just ain't there. Last year the story was availability of batteries; I'm not sure that is still the case.
As for the 100MPG -- there are startup companies that have kits to turn a Escape Hybrid from a 32MPG car (which is what I get) to a 100MPG car by converting from NMH batteries to Lithium-Ion batteries. Ford is experimenting with these as well. Currently the price will set you back north of $30K for the conversion so i would say it isn't worth it. I'm sure they can get even more out of the Prius but then again it is only 60% of the metal.
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I have a family and a big dog
I would really, really like a hybrid minivan. Carpooling saves gas, if I can co-operate with other families when schlepping kids to their proverbial soccer practice (day camp, violin lessons, Girl Scout field trips, swimming lessons, etc.). So far, the Toyota hybrid minivan is only available in Japan.
Hybrids are great. But I can't put a kid in the front seat, which only leaves space in the back for my two and one other. I don't need a Chevrolet Valdez SUV, but I do need more space. I hope that Toyota and other automakers will begin to adapt hybrid technology to other models of cars.
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Bad Math
At $2.60 per liter and 3.79 liters per gallon that adds up to "only" about $9.85......
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How's Mass Transit In Turkey?
Just wondering...
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What about Mercury?
I have a 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid. Does that count like a Ford Escape which is the model used for hybrids. If you don't count Mercs, you haven't counted all the Ford Explorers.
BTW, the Mariner is a great vehicle. Hybrid with great mileage but big enough for my 4 Siberian Huskies. The ultra-luxury version is about $32,000.
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Prii Abroad
I can't speak for Turkey, but I just returned from Paris, and there were quite a few Prii there. The only American car I saw there was an AMC Pacer. It's probably since the Pacer's era that you would find a typical American car in Paris - they don't make sense there (nor in America, either).
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I am curious...
What cars do you think get better gas mileage that the Prius? Looking on www.fueleconomy.gov, the 2008 Prius is the highest rated, by mileage, of all cars listed. Now, some cars from the 80's did get better gas mileage, but there is no current car that does better than the Prius. Heck, my 2002 Prius gets 45+ mpg in mixed driving (this last fill up, I am at 49 mpg over 150 miles).
And, the comparison is with all Ford Explorers.
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Untitled
A bicycle makes a Prius look like a big fat joke.
Get real, get pedaling, people.
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I raised a similar point about speeders in France 10 years ago and how $5/gal (then) didn't change anything
And 20 hippie communists rose up to virtually shit all over me for being a fascist. Apparently you can't say that high gas prices doesn't negatively impact driving styles. That is hippie gospel.
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Can't really compare
First, in response to Herself, public transit in Turkey is fabulous. Their intercity busses are amazing...they are the gold standard to which other bus systems are compared to (generally not favourably). As for local transit, I only have personal experience with Istanbul and Antalya, and while they were nothing special, they are comparable to other systems in Europe. Elsewhere, the dolmus system is very efficient, but does have that "lower class" connotation which drives those who have the option of driving away.
Now, on the more general issue. Demand for cars is increasing in Turkey because the number of people who can afford it is increasing. Likewise in much of eastern Europe, not to mention China and India. It has nothing to do with gas prices, just incomes. Throughout the world, owning a car is still seen as a sign of success. Clearly this isn't a good thing, but gas prices can still have a positive impact.
High gas prices help to make people who own cars drive them less. I think there's a good way to go on gas prices before this starts being really noticeable, but there has to be a tipping point. Personally, I'm hoping to see prices double within the next four years.