That quote is the stupidest thing I've heard all week.

That quote is the most honest I've heard in a while. The American public - auto fans in particular - don't care about much else. But when you get them excited about a product, it will become the norm much sooner.

Current hybrids are still just preaching to the choir.

"Current hybrids are still just preaching to the choir."

Yes and no. Appealing to "auto enthusiasts" is important, but it's not the only thing.

The majority of car buyers are not auto enthusiasts and tire squealers and such...

Drivers out there may not be enthusiasts who are willing to drop 185k on a car, but they do like cool cars that have performance. As much as I love the mileage that both the Prius and the insight get, those cars still look awful.

I think the comment is honest as well and to assume that people will one day switch to more efficient cars without being pushed by the desire to be cool, have performance, or even higher gas prices is keeping your head in the sand.

I think its brilliant, as long as it isn't just a hybrid by virtue of it having a gas and electric engine - it has to get good mileage as well.

And what better platform? A low weight, aerodynamic vehicle, and one that captures people's attention for its looks and performance. Unfortunately, it may take the mpg/horsepower statistic to convince people that yes, you can have it all.

This article begs the question - what about hybrids in racing? What if NASCAR went hybrid? That's probably a long shot (their sponsors may freak out), but a one off series? If they could be made safe enough, and fast enough, it would draw an incredible amount of attention to hybrids. Win on Sunday sell on Monday.

YES - appealing to the speed/performance side is key to acceptance. You can try to ignore it all you want - but it does matter. A hybrid can do two things - add power or replace power. Until the Auto companies realize that they can produce a productd that can do both - the hybrid will not take off.

Think about it - you should be able to choose how you want your car to run - each time you get in it. High KPG/MPG or High KPH/MPH. Provide a consumer with choice - and sell product.

Replacing vehicles currently on the road with ones that even in a KPH/MPH performance mode use less gas than current vehicles is important and when used in a higer KPG/MPG mode would be even better.

It amazes me when people want all or nothing. Get over it. Get most and then work for the rest.

BTW - I want a Volvo V40 hybrid with a KPG/MPG - KMH/MPH performance choice option along with the ability to plug it in to increase in town milage like the Prius mods. That car doesn't exist yet. In fact, Volvo has e-mailed me and told me they have no plans to offer a hybrid. Sad, really. Someone will offer that car and I will be in line to purchase it. (I am looking at buing a model year 2008).

MGR,

You're right. Autophiles are not the only market, but they are the early adopters of new auto tech and styling - the tastemakers, if you will. I wish I had a dime for every 'soccer mom' and senior I've seen tooling around in a Pontiac or other sporty car. SUVs were a enthusiast-oriented vehicle, until marketing made them hip, and then the masses discovered that they were also good cargo and people haulers.

Burns' point about 14 year-old boys is dead-on. When I was a kid, I really wanted the cool cars. That love of exciting vehicles doesn't leave you, no matter how practical you eventually become as an adult.

Car,

I know exactly what you mean. In fact, have a look at what I wrote in this post:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/software_preset.php

My point is, we must strike a balance and not forget the fuel economy. Hybrid drivetrains used as superchargers is the wrong way to go. We must not fall in the trap of thinking that we don't have to give anything away; we should not aim for 30 and 40 mpg but for 70 and 80 mpg, and someday the tire-squealing and 120mph capabilities will look like what the 50s and 60s look to us right now - waste and excess.

I'm all for fun cars that are fun to drive, but it has to be achieved with low weight, good suspension, 50/50 weight balance, good design, etc. Not with 200 hp + engines (even if they are hybrids).

Yes, this is exactly the type of vehicle needed to get folks excited about hybrids. I'm sorry, but the Prius doesn't turn too many heads for it's style. It's mainly popular because it's a techy toy, not to mention a reliable one.

Though I can see the point in introducing people to hybrids via luxury cars and SUVs, I wish some auto company would make a full sized truck hybrid for those of us that regularly haul loads on pallets, carry three or more adults and still want double digit fuel economy.

The closest I have found is the 2006 Dodge ram with MDS (Multiple Displacement System). It ramps down to a 4 cylinder at stop lights and at highway speeds when not loaded.

If any one knows of a truck that fits these requirements and is in production for 2006 let me know

I really have trouble understanding how people can be critical of a Honda Accord pulling mid-6s to 60 MPH while getting the same fuel mileage as a Toyota Corolla. This is a major advance in efficiency, and we should celebrate it.

I see MGR's point, but it's obvious that two camps are already forming - Performance vs Efficiency - and the really good stuff (for us) will develop in the sea of grey in the middle.

With all the big players now developing hybrids, it's going to lead to competition, and improvement of the technology. We're going to get family trucksters that can smoke older sport models, and Italian supercars that get 30 MPG.

The auto industry created the demand for SUVs because they generated much higher profit per vehicle than cars, so hybrid vehicles are the next big thing (and I'm sure they'll be looking to charge us up the wazoo for it).

There is something VERY IMPORTANT that we must remember when we compare current cars to older ones.

It is not enough for our cars to have much lower emissions and much better mileage (and we don't even have that - average fuel economy has been stagnant since 1987) because THERE ARE NOW A LOT MORE CARS ON THE ROAD.

Even if the average was to go up to 30 mpg or 40 mpg, there's a lot more cars in the US than ever before. Same with the whole western world, and now China and India are coming.

We must not pat ourselves on the back because we can create a mid-size sedan that has the fuel economy of a compact. That's just not enough.

Don't overlook the impact on taste, perception and resulting ideal that marketing vehicles has created in our culture. This ideal is esoteric and manufactured by marketing and will change with time like diets and our perception of beauty or necessity - be patient. In the mean time, encourage manufacturers to make the designs attractive and marketable to the masses because it's the quest for profit that will move them towards significant positive change.