NPR: Automakers Set To Steer Customers To Hybrids

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.npr.org/2011/11/22/142593572/automakers-set-to-steer-customers-to-hybrids

Automakers Set To Steer Customers To Hybrids

by Sonari Glinton

November 22, 2011

Second in a http://www.npr.org/series/142519154/getting-to-55-mpg">three-part http://www.npr.org/series/142519154/getting-to-55-mpg">series

Hybrid cars will take a lot of floor space at the http://www.laautoshow.com/">Los Angeles Auto Show beginning this weekend, but they still represent a tiny portion of the U.S. car market.

Fewer than 1 percent of cars on the road have hybrid or electric technology. But for car companies to meet new fuel efficiency rules that will nearly double automakers' average fuel economy by 2025, that percentage is going to have to grow by a lot.

If you watch TV, you might think the hybrid was king judging by the sheer amount of ads for cars like the Toyota Prius or Ford Fusion hybrid. But that's far from true: Hybrid sales are under 3 percent of 13 million cars sold in the U.S. Brian Moody with http://www.npr.org/2011/11/22/142593572/autotrader.com">AutoTrader.com says automakers want you to think that their hybrid is the next best thing.

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Nearly half of consumers say they'll never consider buying a hybrid, according to a recent survey by Kelley Blue Book. Moody says the main reason is price — hybrids cost thousands more than comparable gasoline-powered models.

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(Audio and transcript at the link.)