John 1701. I would say that you are the one with the agenda. The folks I know are too well educated to put out any of that ignorant info. I know of no one who has ever critisized Japanese automobiles or technology. The cars are just too small and "tinny" for them and up to the Prius for me. I went for the hybrid at the only place it was available but I see a lot about Japanese construction weaknesses and quality in my car and I see absolutely nothing wrong at all about looking forward to something better
Sorry to "read you" as you seem to have made yourself into the resident authority.
I would love to see an automotive ad critisizing a hybrid. Some on the west coast might have pointed out the weakness of a first generation car but not because it was hybrid. I don't really believe the "big three" or any other manufacturer in the world paid any attention to the hybrid at all until the 2004 sedan hit the streets and even then not until the media got into the action with the sharp increases in gas prices. The numbers were just to negligible. I'll bet every Prius owner reading on this site that still owns an SUV, pick-up truck, or mini van bought it for a reason which is still viable. It probably sits a lot more often now but there is still a use for it.
And I'm throwing in All foreign vans and pick-up's not just GM.
Live and let live and let competition decide the business.
And please, no more stuff about Toyota's profits compared to the big three's. Thats all sour grapes and should be well beneath you.
Get a life! Sorry Sanny!
And quietman, Have you ever met anyone who told you he was anti-hybrid? I guess you forgot the joy it was to drive a car that at least had some guages in it for folks who loved to drive. I wonder where the term "idiot lights" came from.
I just checked out the first Escape the local Ford dealer got in with some Japanese technology thrown in. I was surprised. The power is a 2.3 liter four cylinder engine with an atkinson cycle, one electric motor, and regenerative braking, and four wheel independent suspension. Comes complete with the works including electric seats for $28,000. Paper says 35 mpg city and salesman says 0/60 times around 10 seconds. It has a full set of instruments including all guages, a speedometer and Tach plus an MFD for the hybrid unit similar to the Prius.