New Prius Hybrid Engine "Cheaper Than a Modern Diesel"
After all the fuss and negativity ( I'm looking at you, Justin) about the upcoming new Prius gaining three to four inches (still shorter than a Corolla) and some additional power, the really big news was left off the table. According to Auto, Motor Und Sport (paper version), Toyota has achieved its most important goals for the gen3 Prius: a 50 percent reduction of the hybrid components' weight and cost. In the words of a Toyota manager: "Our hybrid will then be cheaper than a modern diesel." Given that the new Prius will have a substantially more powerful electric motor and battery range than the last gen, this is impressive stuff. Despite Volt vaporware, or perhaps because of it (thanks Bob!), it looks like ToMoCo's gas – electric sedan is set to continue its domination of the American hybrid market. Last month, in a VERY down market, Prius sales rose 7.7 percent to 20,635 units.
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I can only offer the data I have. If you have data showing hybrids are cheaper to repair as you claim, present it. If you have data showing diesels lose value better than hybrids, present it. If you show data that VW has NOT proclaimed the TDI 08 price, present it. I have presented their priceing plan in the links. You must show otherwise. As far as your prediction on diesel in the USA, right on. Based upon what? Diesels have been restricted here and required to have different standards than in Europe. The price of gasoline in the USA has been low, not like in Europe. Now, with gas finally rising, suddenly the diesel talk and cars have begun to show up. So, we will see who is right about the future of diesel in the USA. As I will once more point out, diesels account for more than 50 percent of all cars sales in Europe. You still cannot address this, but I can. Its called the price of gas! I knew you would pick the Prius over the hot new Jetta Sports wagon....
I drive, although not often, A Trailblazer 02. (I tow often) A Mazda3 05. A Cavalier 01. A Caravan 99. I just purchased a Rav4 07 for my sister. And I just purchased another Mazda3 07 for my brother. So...what does this mean?
It means all this talk is meaningless Internet drivel as you haven't actually owned a diesel car and dealt with all its unique charms. First, you're twisting my words...I never said a hybrid car was cheaper to repair than a diesel car, I said that a cheap gasser econobox with essentially the same power was cheaper. Second, VW has already previously proclaimed the Tiguan price only have seriously revised it to the tune of several thousand dollars recently. They've also proclaimed that Jetta wagons and all manner of new TDI powered cars would be on the lots...Not so much. Finally, even if they hold the line on that price it means actually finding the stripped base modelon the lot (g'luck with that) and the dealer not augmenting the price based on "market demand" because of diesel chumps like you. And, thirdly, the reason that there's so many diesel cars in Europe has less to do with the economy and everything to do with the price. Diesel is taxed significantly less than gas. Look, you've never experienced life with a diesel car. I have. It wasn't nearly as pleasurable as you seem to think. Frankly, it kinda sorta really sucked and thankfully I didn't even require any of that special VW customer care that comes with their cars, under my ownership it was trouble free. In the United States, much to the chagrin and gnashing teeth of the "enthusiast" crowd, diesel will never rise above an also-ran if for no other reason than global economies dictate that the Eurasians want diesel fuel, and the North Americans want gasoline, and because of that we'll continue to sell excess diesel to them and they'll continue to sell excess gasoline to us and the barely-there diesel owners of America will just have to content themselves on the smugness of their purchases and continue to engage in the sooty circle jerk they've cloistered themselves in.
Um..never said I owned a diesel. So, the rule now is if you haven't owned a diesel, or any car we want to discuss, you cannot seak to it. I don't think so, gfen. But we need to leave it here. You are telling us the diesel will never make it here. Well, I guess we'll see. And if you can, some time in the future, explain to me the economics that have the Europeans and Asian wanting diesel. Other than the price of gas, as I explained in artificially low here and has caused Americans to think like pigs, I cannot think of any. The fact is, we restrict diesel due to ecological rulings of ours...they don't. And just because Americans want things differently, they could be wrong. Take the SUV craze, for instance. And, as a last note, many replies were from folks who loved their diesels. And the fact that they, and I, cannot get one is taken out of our hands. For the record, here are some preditions for the future...and not from me. Its been fun, though...hasn't it? But get ready, its not just me... http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4237945.html?page=2 http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/jul2007/bw20070713_699758.htm And why is this...? http://mydrive.roadfly.com/blog/ExJxZ3/