----- Original Message ----- From: <dsummersmi...@comcast.net> To: <brin-l@mccmedia.com> Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 4:39 PM Subject: Re: Scouted: U.S. to collapse in next two years?
Original Message: ----------------- From: xponentrob xponent...@comcast.net Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:56:08 -0600 To: brin-l@mccmedia.com Subject: Re: Scouted: U.S. to collapse in next two years? ----- Original Message ----- From: <dsummersmi...@comcast.net> To: <brin-l@mccmedia.com> Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 12:00 PM Subject: Re: Scouted: U.S. to collapse in next two years? >>Since then, I've been seeing promises of competative electric cars. When >>gas prices were at $4.50/gallon, the premium for hybrids was within $1000 >>of being a wash. But, now that prices are back close to $1.50 (around here >>at least....but when we were up near $4.50, I'd guess you were higher too) >>hybrid sales are falling like a rock. >Aren't overall vehicle sales been "falling like a rock"? >SUV/Truck sales have been getting a larger share of the pie of late, but as >I understand it all sales are down and this is why *all* automakers are >having troubles. But, hybrid sales are falling much faster. The latest comparison I got was through November, and (according to the eia), gas prices fell 20% from November to December. >From http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/04/r-l-polk-co-ana.html <quote> Sales of the market-leading Prius were down 48.3% to 8,660-its lowest sales month since January 2007. Camry Hybrid sales were off 57.5%, down to 2,174 units. That accounted for 8.6% of all Camry sales. Total Camry sales for the month were down 28.8%. Sales of the Highlander Hybrid were down 64.8% to 907 units, representing 11.5% of all Highlander models sold. Total Highlander sales were down 35.9% in the month. <end quote> So, as of November, they are dropping by about a factor of 2 more than the same gas powered models. Car sales are dropping, hybrid sales are dropping much faster. And, while I don't have the details available, indications are that the relative slide continues. In a couple of months, we'll see if there's a bottom. If not, hybrid sales will drop to the point where the sales become insignificant. *************************************************************** So I'm wondering if the more expensive luxury versions of the comparable models are seeing similar falls in sales. Are people forgoing the "bells and whistles" also? xponent Further Investigations Maru rob _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l