My perspective is different than yours. I believe that the only buyers of hybrids until recently, probably less than a year ago, have been “early adopters” as it is described in technology marketing.

The situation that began to push a change in people’s perception began late last year when the price of gasoline barely went under $3.00 during the winter. For the 3-5 years previously, the price of gasoline dropped significantly during the winter and cycled up significantly above those lows during the summer. Each of those years, the valleys and peaks were a little higher than the year before. The situation accelerated earlier this year when we crossed $4.00 per gallon pricing.

Jonathan

The leaders of the Big Three have access to the same data as Toyota and Honda yet they have let the American Consumer dictate innovation (or lack thereof) and trends versus setting the standards. Honda and Toyota are ahead of the curve. They have set the standard for the near future at least. The Big Three are so slooooow to act, change with the environment. It’s sad because The Big Three could go away. How does a company that loses $40bb in a quarter stay around?

dk