Is the Hybrid really the solution?

NewHemi · 04-10-2012, 01:29 AM

Two out of three hybrid owners don’t buy another, according to a new report from automotive industry research firm Polk.

Despite persistently high gasoline prices, only 35 percent of hybrid owners who purchased a new car in 2011 stuck with the segment, a figure that drops below 25 percent when owners of the market leading Toyota Prius are factored out of the equation. Even in traditionally “green” cities like Los Angeles and Seattle, the loyalty rate remained the same.
Although sales of hybrids have spiked in early 2012, the gas-electric vehicles made up only 2.4 percent of the new car market last year, down from a record high of 2.9 percent in 2008.
According to the Polk study, customers interested in hybrids diligently cross-shop them against conventionally-powered vehicles, which have seen great improvements in fuel economy in recent years. A survey from TrueCar.com released last week points out that, even a more than a decade after the first hybrid cars went on sale in the United States, it can take many years to recoup the high upfront costs in fuel savings.
However, automakers can take some solace in the fact that shoppers surveyed by Polk by and large stayed loyal to the brand of their hybrid, even if they switched to a different type of vehicle. Toyota, for instance, retained 60 percent of its hybrid customer base, while more than half of Honda hybrid owners purchased another Honda.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/04/09/survey-says-most-hybrid-car-owners-dont-buy-another/#ixzz1rc1IjIWJ

Maybe not.... If two out of three who buy one, don't buy another..

Guess it is a case of "fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me".

David
The New Hemi Guy

04-10-2012, 01:29 AM	#1
NewHemi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 472 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Is the Hybrid really the solution? Two out of three hybrid owners don’t buy another, according to a new report from automotive industry research firm Polk. Despite persistently high gasoline prices, only 35 percent of hybrid owners who purchased a new car in 2011 stuck with the segment, a figure that drops below 25 percent when owners of the market leading Toyota Prius are factored out of the equation. Even in traditionally “green” cities like Los Angeles and Seattle, the loyalty rate remained the same. Although sales of hybrids have spiked in early 2012, the gas-electric vehicles made up only 2.4 percent of the new car market last year, down from a record high of 2.9 percent in 2008. According to the Polk study, customers interested in hybrids diligently cross-shop them against conventionally-powered vehicles, which have seen great improvements in fuel economy in recent years. A survey from TrueCar.com released last week points out that, even a more than a decade after the first hybrid cars went on sale in the United States, it can take many years to recoup the high upfront costs in fuel savings. However, automakers can take some solace in the fact that shoppers surveyed by Polk by and large stayed loyal to the brand of their hybrid, even if they switched to a different type of vehicle. Toyota, for instance, retained 60 percent of its hybrid customer base, while more than half of Honda hybrid owners purchased another Honda. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/04/09/survey-says-most-hybrid-car-owners-dont-buy-another/#ixzz1rc1IjIWJ Maybe not.... If two out of three who buy one, don't buy another.. Guess it is a case of "fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me". David The New Hemi Guy