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- - Toyota: Katrina drove up hybrid demand
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Jason
09-23-2005 12:27 PM
Toyota: Katrina drove up hybrid demand
Toyota Motor Corp. has seen a rise in demand for hybrid vehicles in the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as consumers seek more mileage out of $3-gallon gasoline, a top official said on Thursday. "At the end of last month, we had a 20-hour supply of the Prius (hybrid sedan)," Jim Press, head of Toyota's U.S. operations, said at the Reuters Autos Summit, held in Detroit. "We no longer count in days."
Press said those price premiums would come down to as little as $1,000, probably in the next decade, as per-unit production costs fall with growing volumes. He noted that a hybrid Highlander now costs an extra $3,800 to $3,900.
That must be the first article that ever mentioned the "Hybrid Premium" was soon to decrease. Most articles dismiss hybrids as not worth the extra price, and just for greenies wanting to make a statement. Amazing what an extra $0.50/gal does for writers.
