Okay, I can't shake this. I'm taking it very personally. I'm bummed. I've been a Prius owner since 2000. I've promoted the hybrid in countless interviews. I badgered all my family and friends to buy them. The car was -- is -- brilliant, showcasing good design and efficiency, and moving us a step towards a more sensible automotive future.
Over the years I watched the Prius go from a weird nerdy car everyone thought you had to plug in to THE car to drive. Friends traded in their SUVs and Jaguars and soon the Prius was everywhere. We all reaped the benefits -- customers enjoyed the gas savings, the earth enjoyed the lower carbon emissions, and Toyota enjoyed the limelight. The company deserved all the rewards it garnered for its vision and leadership.
Yet now here comes Toyota, fighting to derail a sorely needed increase in fuel economy standards. Toyota's current actions are unacceptable, depressing, and just plain morally wrong.
You can't have it both ways and expect your customers not to feel betrayed. You can't expect us to take you seriously anymore when you talk about leadership and progress while you're actively working to stop progress.
Wake up Toyota and make all of us Prius, Highlander and Camry hybrid owners proud to be part of the family, instead of embarrassed by your actions.
Make sure Toyota hears from you: http://www.nrdcactionfund.org/toyota_action
The Prius is hauling two drivetrains around. So, one is dead weight depending on which one is working. (You don't want to pull into to the local garage in one of these)
Let's stop letting emotional issues as politics and religion divide us.. Lifestyle doesn't have to mean exploitation..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hFifFR-4C28
http://youtube.com/watch?v=d5YsK3bwzPM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=a3jH1bQWIRY
Now if I'm able to find and develop these alternative in my spare time with no budget think what Toyota (or Ford or GM for that matter) could do..
(in the front-wheel drive versions)
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escapehybrid/
http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/mariner/technology.asp
Let's put things in perspective. Think Bush, family oil, high prices, more profit, greater wealth, favors, auto lobbyist, corporations.
Bush refuses to sign any restrictions. Why should we blame this on Toyota...all the manufacturers are involved.
I'm with you on the government subsidies. I'm sick of them for ANY foreign entity, whether it be a company or a person. Everyone gets a break except we the people-U.S. citizens!
We spend so much of our money on roads I would like to see us move towards a more efficient infrastructure that would make useing less fuel a built in part of the system.
What we have now is stupid and insane.
an energy based disaster. If an awakened public
and some true leadership raised the stakes, then the move 80-100 mpg's by 2020 would be embraced by the manufacturers. Unfortunately, the Priuses are a placebo that substitute for the real pill that the status quo won't swallow- real change won't occur until the public demands it. Yes, from the government leadership, because the free market isn't in play. That's the underlying issue that we, the consumers don't seem to comprehend...the Blackwaters, the marginal fuel economy targets and actions on the environment, will all continue until the combined pain is intolerable. So don't blame Toyota, blame our own complacency. And it seems like no candidate
will even approach the subject or the subject of lobby money with any courage.
Many people identify themselves by what they drive, and you get Green bragging rights for owning a Prius, but to anyone on a limited income, the Hybrid cars, are a poor investment. Work through the math, if one were to take the new car leap, one still saves money buying a 39mpg Corolla over a 50mpg Prius.
It would take a major govt. subsidy to make these worth the cost, or tripling the cost of gasoline before consumer behavior is swayed to favor the hybrids. Until that happens, consumers will continue to buy the same number of Hummers as they do Prius every year.
Surely you did compare apples to apples, interior, gasoline, etc.?
Every time I am sitting in BDB traffic (Bumpah-Da-Bumpah, as we say in Boston) I visualize all cars as electric, and I know this will one day happen, and not because I am naive.
Progress does occur. Some people actually care, and if enough carers get their ideas "out there" and teach the kids about alternative fuel sources, etc., positive change will happen. Evolution Happens.
Think positively, speak positively, write letters & emails, call in radio talk shows...eventually others will see the wisdom of solar, electric & wind power.
Jeez Louise! All negativity does is STOP PROGRESS! We say "It cannot be done." and we are absolutely correct. With a crummy attitude like that of course it can't be done! However, if we say "It CAN be done," we will create new ways of looking at these problems, and come up with effective solutions that will keep humans healthier, energy companies happy & make the Earth not only a great place to visit, but a place to put down roots.
It isn't naive. I believe it's one of the reasons we're on this planet...to keep its heart alive for as long as possible. Forever? Yeah, forever!