Jerrry P, I agree 100% with your statement that "the day of Hybrid Cars has arrived." When I first saw an ad for the 2004 Prius I thought it was butt ugly and a toy. Then I went to two different dealers, took test drives and was very impressed. Then I started browsing this board and the Yahoo Prius Groups, found some excellent links to the technology involved and was even more converted. As a retired engineer I just love the Atkinson Cycle engine and the planetary transmission.
I now have a 2004 Prius on order. Can't say the 2004 model is the prettiest car out there but, IMO, it is very technologically functional and user practical.
Detroit has their heads in the sand. GM in particular with their committment to Hydrogen Technology. I read an article recently about their billion dollar investment so far in hydrogen. Does GM really think that the major oil companies are interested in hydrogen? Big Oils business is hydrocarbon not hydrogen based. At least with hybrid technology they still have a market. IMO, if GM doesn't commit to hybrid soon they(GM) are going to lose their shirt.
It will be interesting to see what Furd comes out next year with but they have a lot of catching up to do.
NIce story on NBC Nightly News tonight about the Prius. It is a 'cool' car now and there was a question asked "what message does this send to Detroit?". The message is clear - the day of Hybrid Cars has arrived, figure it out, start producing them now with real relaibiliity, or prepare to totally surrender a giant share of the market to Toyota HSD vehicles. I thought it was interesting a few months back when the CEO of GM said that his people must prepare for the day when GM might NOT be the largest, most successful car company in the world. Maybe he realised what was coming.