Tag Archives: general motors
American Hybrid Cars
The term American made is becoming harder to distinguish nowadays, but most people when they use it are referring to the major American based car companies: Ford, GM, and Chrysler. One of the companies had simply refused to engage in the hybrid market, because it wasn’t cost feasible, and the other two were late to the game, but all of them are quickly taking steps to catch up to the Japanese competition. When hybrid cars were first introduced, many considered them to be gimmicky and unrealistic, similar to how the first electric cars were received, and this thinking might have kept American hybrid cars from getting serious consideration.
Ford’s original stance when it came to the hybrid vehicle was to aim at one thing Americans truly love: the SUV. One of their first models was a hybrid SUV; the company is still adding more hybrids to their production line. Although, their approach to selling their hybrids was much more conservative than the Japanese, they are starting to turn a profit, which will allow them to continue to expand their hybrid offerings and keep them competitive with foreign car companies.
Buying Used Hybrid Cars
If anyone is considering buying used hybrid cars they should think of a few things. These cars start run drive and handle differently then the conventional engine your used to.
My friend has a Toyota Prius and my first experiences in this car were interesting to say the least. First when he pressed “start” there was not any noise what so ever and we were in gear backing out of our parking space. He thought it was great however I did not like it so much. The other thing to consider is its tough to find a stylish Hybrid. Most of these cars were not designed to be sporty or elegant.
There are some exceptions however. The American Hybrids are very nice looking cars. They drive well to for that matter. Most people are unaware that you can get an Escalade or Tahoe Hybrid. In general I think it is a time to support American car companies. At this point not only are they better quality but if your buying new you may as well support the Manufactures in your country. Well except for FORD that is. Or Fraud as I call them. There are several things to be aware of when buying a used hybrid.
One is that this is not a tried and true technology. The Conventional engine has been around forever and you know what to expect on a high mileage car. Hybrids are probably going to bring a whole new plethora of problems when they reach one hundred and fifty thousand miles where as a conventional engine has already been there and done that. We know what to expect. Some things that seem simple may slip through the cracks by companies that pay more attention to profit rather then quality.
For instance look at the problem Toyota is having with the accelerator pedal. Look and practically everything FORD does. Sub par quality and a ridiculous price tags. I think we all can find some humility that the Toyota Prius is supposed to be so wonderful for the Environment yet the Battery is made with a type of Nickel that is extremely toxic. So much so that the plant that produces it has no living vegetative or animal life within a thirty mile radius. Here is my suggestion for buying a Hybrid or any Auto for that matter. Only buy Italian, German or General Motors engineering.
Can We Afford A Hybrid Vehicle?
Hybrid cars and trucks are starting to roll off the assembly line at an unbelievable rate now that the big three automakers of America are realizing their mistakes of the past thirty plus years. They should have been working on alternative fuel efficient vehicles before they came close to bankruptcy in the latter part of 2008. A lot of people are looking into used hybrid cars as a way to purchase one less inexpensively.
What else would one expect though from an industry that has made millions and experienced the popularity of the SUVs and the pickup trucks. Why design eco friendly cars that runs on a different power source when the ones that they are building are selling like hotcakes?
It’s now time for the big three to start rolling out the hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are going to increase the fuel efficiency of the same models by about 40%. I’m sure they can do a lot better than that, but its a start. Which is something that’s been overdue for many years.
General Motors and Ford have been saying that they have the hybrid vehicles available in the same popular models that everyone has been buying for the last few years.
The question is though, Is this a little too late? The economy has taken a beaten in the last year and who really knows how long we’ll be in this situation. Hybrid vehicles cost more than the conventional models, but compared to how much you’ll save over the years on gas, it well worth it. Unfortunately people may not have the means to buy a new vehicle for some time and who knows if the American automakers can make it until the economy turns around.
Another question to ask is if no one is buying the hybrid vehicles over the next two years, are they going to think that no one wants them or are they going to think that it’s the condition of the economy. Will they stop making them because of the lack of sales?
We’ll just have to wait and see, but if you are going to buy a used vehicle, you might want to look at these used hybrid models.