Hybrid car manufacturers are missing opportunities
April 5, 2008 – 3:43 pmAfter browsing several car company websites, I’ve realized something: car companies are missing opportunities with their hybrid models.
Let’s break things down…
Which consumers tend to be the more environmentally conscious? Answer: Young, educated.
What trim lines do young car buyer tend to purchase? Answer: Sporty, coupe.
What trim lines are hybrid cars typically offered in? Answer: Conservative, sedan.
Obviously, I’ve greatly simplified things, but still, there’s a disconnect here between marketer and consumer. And the solution isn’t all that difficult. Place a hybrid engine in your coupe trim lines, market along with standard engine coupe models.
OK, now someone make me a hybrid vehicle that doesn’t look like a cheese wedge or like something that my mom would drive.
18 Responses to “Hybrid car manufacturers are missing opportunities”
are you comparing a prius to a cheese wedge?
By nelson on Apr 5, 2008 - 4:44 pm
Yes, it would be nice to see a hybrid (or fully electric) vehicle marketed to people other than your mom and Reid.
Are you looking for a new car?
By Wysz on Apr 5, 2008 - 4:47 pm
Yes I’m comparing a prius to a cheese wedge.
I’m thinking new car in maybe a year. I’d like to do my part in reducing oil consumption, but would also like to do my part in pretending that I’m still somewhat cool.
(still waiting for an angry comment from Reid)
To be fair, the electric Chevrolet Volt looks somewhat hip. But it won’t be out until 2010…and it’s made by GM.
By Mike on Apr 5, 2008 - 4:58 pm
There’s always the Tesla Roadster http://www.teslamotors.com/, though it’s not widely available yet. Oh, and it’ll probably cost almost $100k.
By Rowyn on Apr 5, 2008 - 10:15 pm
D’oh, it thought the comma was part of the link:
http://www.teslamotors.com/
By Rowyn on Apr 5, 2008 - 10:17 pm
I like that even on a $100K car, floor mats are still considered an option:
http://www.teslamotors.com/buy/buyPage1.php
All of the 2008 units have been reserved so I still have time to save up some cash.
By Wysz on Apr 6, 2008 - 12:55 am
not just floor mats, CUSTOM floor mats!
By Mike on Apr 6, 2008 - 3:09 am
A Tesla is not a hybrid. It’s a 100% electric. Another electric coming out for under $30,000 is the Aptera and it’s definitely not cheese-shaped.
http://www.aptera.com/
The Chevy Volt will be a hybrid of sorts (40 miles electric, some gas after that). The final design is different from the concept though but it should look something like this.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/05/video-chevy-volt-model-undergoing-wind-tunnel-testing-at-the-gm/
By drivin98 on Apr 6, 2008 - 5:59 am
I very much like my cheese wedge car, thank you very much. I personally feel the Prius has a lot of utility – fold down back seats, plenty of storage space, a back-up camera, and built in GPS if you go for that option.
For four years in a row, the Prius is tops for owner satisfaction:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/01/prius_top_choice.html
So it’s hard to tie your three points together, because not all young, educated consumers pick sporty, coupe cars. Nor do conservative people who don’t believe in global warming buy Prius’s. I’ll admit the Prius is not the most sport looking vehicle…but, I think, especially in the Bay Area, that driving an environmentally friendly vehicle makes it (and by association, you) inherently hip.
By Reid on Apr 6, 2008 - 4:51 pm
Also, not all Hybrid’s are Prius’s…
http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-hybrid/
looks just like the regular civic
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escapehybrid/index.asp
there’s also the 34mpg escape hybrid
By Reid on Apr 6, 2008 - 4:55 pm
On behalf of Reid and myself, I’d like to say…
OUR CARS DO NOT LOOK LIKE CHEESE WEDGES!!
Do you know what does though?
YOUR FACE!! And cheese wedges. Cheese wedges look like cheese wedges.
Waha!
By Sophia on Apr 6, 2008 - 8:27 pm
thank you sophia!
By Reid on Apr 6, 2008 - 10:37 pm
woah Reid, I didn’t say conservative politically…conservative in STYLE.
And yes I do agree, not all young consumers buy sporty cars…but the point I made is that MANY do. That is where the opportunity is being missed. I believe that there is a larger market for hybrids than car manufacturers think there are. That’s the point I was making.
By Mike on Apr 7, 2008 - 2:59 pm
okay that makes sense
By Reid on Apr 7, 2008 - 3:06 pm
one more thing…I was fully aware of the other hybrid models on the market. I didn’t even mention Prius in my post. I think it was Nelson who brought it up.
what would be ideal would be a hybrid honda civic coupe. so like i said before, place a hybrid engine in this coupe model.
By Mike on Apr 7, 2008 - 4:21 pm
I’m late to the party, but I wanted to add another vote for the Civic hybrid, I like mine a lot. My wife was really hoping Toyota would make a Matrix hybrid, since it’s already got pretty good mileage and doesn’t look like a wedge of cheese.
By Jason on Apr 12, 2008 - 2:32 pm
I’d totally buy a Matrix hybrid.
By Rowyn on Apr 21, 2008 - 8:57 pm