Don't you think that hybrid cars are simply viewed by car companies as another neiche market that they target?

Question

Toyota makes the economical Prius...and then it makes the giant Land Cruiser...Because the large companies have the technology, but are at the feet of the customer's choice. Why blame them so much for all the pollution?

A fundamental understanding of economics being my source.

Answer 1

At a fundamental level, the current hybrid technology is simply a way of allowing the engine to run more efficiently, and so use less fuel to get the same amount of power at the wheels.

Certainly it is currently targeted at just a few niche markets at present - in part, the technology (particularly batteries) still needs further development to make an affordable mass-market solution, and has limited manufacturing capacity for the new components.

There are parallels with what happened when fuel injection engines were first introduced. Initially it was a very niche market for a few users who needed the additional performance this gives, then it was rolled out to top-end models of a range (proudly displaying an 'i' or similar suffix so everyone knows they've spent extra on the fuel injection version), until finally fuel injection become so ubiquitous that nobody really mentions it much anymore, and few even know what a carburettor is!

Hybrids are just now making the transition from being marketed to early adopters who are likely to obsess over the thing the new technology attempts to address, into a executive / luxury market (consider for example the Lexus RX400h and GS450h, this time proudly displaying an 'h' so everyone knows they've spent extra on the hybrid version).

As the technology develops further, the natural progression would be for a hybrid drivetrain to eventually become ubiquitous in all vehicles, and sufficiently affordable there is no point anyone having a non-hybrid (after all, who wouldn't want a car with similar performance that uses less fuel, or using similar amounts of fuel for even better performance).

The main reason I expect that not to happen is that it will be overtaken by, or share the market with the next new technologies (e.g. pure electric, hydrogen, fuel cells, etc.)

I would expect a generation or two in the future to look upon the use of current internal combustion engines as a source of power much the same way that we look at coal-fired steam engines.


As for Land Cruisers, etc., the manufacturers designed a large powerful vehicle capable of taking a large trailer for off-road expeditions and similar. This it does well. They also designed other vehicles as city runabouts. Many sectors of the market (especially in the USA where motor fuel is underpriced compared to most of the rest of the world) didn't like the smaller cars designed as city runabouts, and instead bought the big powerful off-road vehicles to use as city runabouts.

I guess it's up to market researchers to find out what the people who buy off-roaders to use as city runabouts actually want from a car, and/or giving consumers balanced information about the suitability of various vehicles to their intended use. Probably one of the sources of 'blame' if you must is whoever decided it was a good idea to use "traffic calming" measures like the inverted potholes (a.k.a. speed bumps) that turn the urban environment into something similar to an off-road environment.

Answer 2

No, I think some car companies (at least the smart ones like Toyota) understand that alternative systems like hybrids are the future. For one thing oil is a finite resource, and as we deplete the world's reserves the price will simply continue to rise, and more people will look for alternatives to traditional internal combustion cars. Then there's the fact that global warming and greenhouse gas emissions are becoming a bigger and bigger issue.

I'm not sure what you're getting at with your question about blame. I don't think many people blame car companies for pollution, because as you say, they produce what the consumers demand. I think much of the blame goes to inidividuals who demand big SUVs and much goes to the government for not requiring that new cars get better mileage.

Answer 3

I totally agree, a greener car is a status symbol to many.

Answer 4

Of course, what else would they be. Companies exist to sell products, not meet your personal agenda.

Answer 5

Yes you are right on this thought I think, you hit the nail on the head!!!!

Answer 6

You are right on the money.

Answer 7

Yes, HOPEFULLY.