Do you think Hybrid vehicles would be more popular if they weren't so ugly?

Question

And if they could guarantee the batteries life longer? I am not a huge 'green' person, but i would have no objection to purchasing one of these vehicles if the silhouette didn't remind me of the neighbors dog in the middle of defocating on my lawn.

Answer 1

There are many problems with Hybrid vehicles right now.  For one : no one knows what the lifespan of the battery is, and how much a replacement would be (the estimate was 3-4 thousand dollars, though.)  

Two, pretty they aren't , but the issue is really that the makers missed the marker with their audience : the people that drive the most, typically, have families, and therefore need a larger vehicle than a hybrid.

Third, for the cost of one hybrid, you could buy two regular vehicles.  

Fourth, while the first set of hybrids was good on gas, they are becoming less and less so as extra features are added to the newer models to make them more popular.  

Last, but not least : buying a hybrid does not eliminate the need to buy gas!  Buying less of it at a time does not negate the usage, and with a vehicle that uses less gas, people usually drive more, and end up purchasing the same amount. Having a hybrid does not help the gas shortage we currently have, though it may have been a good preventative action, and since "regular" vehicles have more option choices and are so far more reliable in terms of maintenence and general "what-ifs," the hybrid is never really going to catch on as a mainstream.  

Case in point : the year the hybrids were released, remember how many celebrities bought them and showed up to the awards shows in them, only to be photographed the remainder of the year in their SUVs and sportscars, with no mention of how wonderful hybrids are and how we should all get them  -blah, blah, blah.  Celebrities are pretty quick to grab onto an environmetal cause, if for no other reason than they can afford the alternatives; but it didn't stick.  Hmm.

Hybrids were a good idea that were, unfortunately, quite ill-timed and badly planned out.  

You want to make a difference?  Get a deisel and convert it to run off bio-deisel; there are more nice deisel vehicles out there than you think, at great prices (including hummers,) and the conversion kits are typically barely over $100.  Bonus :  oil is easy to come by, and most restaurants will be happy to hand it over, saving them time & money for disposal, and a possible charitable tax break, as well.

Answer 2

I think hybrids are not selling because they are so expensive.

Answer 3

There are some hybrid versions of regular cars that look exactly like their non-hybrid versions. The hybrid Honda Civic looks just like the regular Honda Civic for example. The Toyota Prius is not the only hybrid car you know.

Answer 4

I think they're pretty cute as it is, but yes, if they made them look like little sports cars or convertibles you are right, they would sell much more.

Answer 5

very much so. but some aren't too bad like a civic or a escape.

Answer 6

I saw some cool looking ones on a Saturn commercial. I just can't afford a new car period.

Answer 7

no and actually the Hybrid Toyota Prius only gets 28 to 30 miles to the gallon instead of 41 on the highway like it says what a big fat rip off.

Answer 8

Yeah probably.  I've wanted a hybrid for years but the prius was the only thing on the market and it's butt ugly.  Now that they have a Camry hybrid I'm seriously considering one.

Answer 9

They look fine to me, but I would like to see a sportscar version.

Answer 10

actually hybrid vehicles probably don't sell because they're not good on gas when it comes to traveling on highways. I've heard they end up using just as much gas if you have to travel a long distance, but they are wonderful around the city.

I drive too much, so I don't think I would buy them anyways. But some do look very teenie weenie (I like big SUVs and trucks).

Answer 11

Actually they do have a few attractive prototypes for hybrids. Take for example the Subaru B9 Scrambler http://www.cartype.com/page.cfm?id=1107

the Mitsubishi Eclypse hybrid http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-20...

The lexus RX-400 hybrid (On production)

http://www.lexus.com/models/RXh/

The Lexus GS hybrid (On production)

http://www.lexus.com/models/GSh/

and a fully electric sports car capable of out running a Corvette called the Tesla. (Starting production next monthv reserve purchase availible)

http://www.teslamotors.com/

So you still can be both green and stylish at the same time.

Also check out this one http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-20...

Answer 12

Many hybrid vehicles are not ugly, they look pretty much just like their conventionally powered cousins.  The big problem with hybrids is the cost.  Even with tax subsidies, the fuel savings simply cannot pay for the additional cost.

Answer 13

They are NOT ugly

Answer 14

lol.  Yes I think hybrids would sell better if they looked better.

I would love to own a hybrid (I like the look of the prius).

90 + miles per gal sounds good to me.  Especially since

I don't have a vehicle right now.  :(

Answer 15

I don't think they are as ugly as you have described - they just have a more unique (evolutionary) style to them.  Don't you get sick of looking at the same styles of cars anyway?  We have entered a new era - a time for change (the future) - including the design of our cars.  As far a battery life, the next generation hybrids (2009) will have batteries with a longer lifespan.  I know the new Prius is set for a significant increase in mpg (possibly over 100mpg) and over-all efficiency.  Time to look to the future...

Answer 16

Very much so...

My husband recently bought a new car.  He drives about 1000 miles a week in his work and was looking at the hybrids, but they all had very limited color and option selections.  We couldn't figure out why if it was the same body style as the regular car, why the color selections were limited.  He couldn't even get the options he wanted added on, he would have had to buy after-market items and it ended up the expense was not worth the hassle.

Answer 17

I think more would sell if they were priced lower. Those people that truly need better MPG can't afford them most of the year. The other major set-back is the lack of easily-accessed facilities to refuel the darn things. A radio station gave away an electric-gas hybrid up in KC,Kan. to a guy out in western Kan.  175 miles to the closest refueling station. Get my point? And I don't think they are ugly-just not a sports car.

Answer 18

I think this one's pretty hot!

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-20...

p.s. I like the car too.

p.p.s. click on the first image guys. (makes a great wallpaper)

Hey digitalwrangler - what do you think of that one?

more - http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/vo...

.

Answer 19

Well, you take the Hybrid to a shop, let them make it looks cool

Answer 20

They would be more popular it they made economic sense to buy.  Until the price of the cars go down or the price of gas increases drastically it just doesn't make sense to buy a hybrid.

Answer 21

In a word,  YES

Answer 22

Once they make a two-seater convertible I'll be on it like stink on a fat girl.

Answer 23

no if you do your homework you will find that dollar for dollar they are not worth the money. you can get tax breaks but when you sell car you may have to pay back some of credits and it can take several years to make up difference in cost they do not actually get the miles they say Toyota is a 2 year average wait before you start showing savings and Toyota is the best of all hybrid cars some can take 3 to 6 years before seeing savings and by then you have had to replace very costly parts in new tech parts

Answer 24

Personally I like the look of the Prius, but if it's not your style, you can always get a hybrid Civic or Camry, or some other hybrid that looks like a regular car.  The Yahoo Autos section has the Civic rated just as 'green' as the Prius, though it doesn't get as impressive gas mileage.

As for the batteries, the Prius battery is under warranty for 10 years, which seems like a pretty long guarantee to me.

So to answer your question, I don't think aesthetics or battery life have much effect on hybrid sales.