What will the fuel efficiency cost though? Hybrid systems in SUVs payback period is over 10 years I think the last time I did the math (even at an agressive 15k miles per year). Maybe people wont do the math and just go for it though. Plug in hybrids are even more expensive and even longer payback period.

 

Maybe Economy of Scale?

Big difference in average cost of an item when you produce 1,000 units compared to 100,000 units.

 

Wow, just did a comparison of 2013 Fusion Hybrid Titanium vs non, 2013 Titanium so it is a fair direct comparison. Hybrids are selling for less. When gas prices are high, then its the other way around. So it's all relevant.

 

You just compared the price of a 5 year old car. How many miles on each? Will you replace the battery in the car when it dies? That sets you back about 4k. This buys alot of gas. However, if you a content just to tote around a large dead battery, then of course that doesn't cost another 4k, but fuel economy is now worse than it would have been.

Hybrids, IMO, dont make sense because the higher initial cost payback period is too long to the point you have to replace the battery a few years down the road when you just broke even. An all-electric car is really the only thing that make sense economically-wise. Now if you are doing it for a environment perspective then it makes more sense.

 

SMH There are still first gen Prius running around on their original packs. The battery management systems in these cars take good care to not over or under charge the packs and recondition them to make sure all cells are properly balanced for long life. The packs are good for the 10-15 years, or life of the car if not longer. You have been reading too much of the hype from the early years. These packs can go 200-300K before they give up the ghost, and a refurbished pack is less than the cost of most transmissions, $1400-$2500 at the most.

In any case, with gas prices where they are now, Hybrids are not worth anywhere near what they once were, but when gas hits $4 to $5 a gallon, then the prices will flip and they will be back to premium prices again. It's all about supply and demand. I've owned 5 hybrids and they were always worth more than the equivalent gas model, and not one of them had given me battery issues. The Fusions were better than the Toyotas as far as the drive trains, the Camry I had was LOUD, the Prius was the worst driving car I had ever had. I did have a 2013 Fusion Hybrid that was a problem child, but the engine was the issue, not the electric part.

 

American car companies are making a big mistake getting rid of cars.
Seems the Japanese, Koreans, and Germans have enough sense to keep cars in their lineups.

 

You beat me to it. Who cares about any of this stuff when the average joe is suffering from premature water pump failures because Ford cheaped out on the pump quality, coolant leaks at the Y-connector, and a slew of other nightmares that are far too prevalent. Great, your market share increased. How about making a ****ing 3rd brake light that doesn't leak rainwater or a door that doesn't sound like it's falling off the truck when you drive over bumps?

 

Things like water pumps and oil changes and all of that will be a thing of the past with electric cars. The average joe wont have to worry about these failures once all of these become mainstream.

 

I don't buy domestic cars either.

The Corolla my wife drove for 12 years was built in California.


When my wife wanted a new larger car than her Corolla, we drove a pretty loaded fusion SE then a Passat. The Passat was a base'ish Wolfsburg model and was hands down a better car with power, drive-ability, Interior, and price. The Camry, Accord, Passat are some of the the best selling sedans in the market and even their numbers are down significantly. I don't blame Ford for abandoning the market. We did look at Camry but they did seem to have a cheap feel to the interiors as well so we never drove it.

 

Ya, till Ford builds an electric car and theres a short in the battery system and you find yourself flying down the highway at 140mph!