In advertising, spin is everything. The cunning spinster believes that any idea can be sold if the packaging is shiny enough. 
In the automotive industry, image, performance and safety have always won the hearts of consumers. These are concepts that are hard to quantify and easy to spin.
Environmental consciousness is the new spin favorite of auto makers as the industry sees that early adopters of hybrid technology enjoy record sales of their thriftier models.
Green is cool.
What isn't selling as well as the high mileage cars are performance hybrids and hybrids that get only a few miles per gallon better than their non-hybrid counterparts. The Union of Concerned Scientists as well as a number of environmental groups refers to these hybrids as “hollow� hybrids.
Since the first sale of a hybrid in North America by Honda in 1999, sales of hybrids have steadily increased. Through the first three months of 2006, hybrid sales were up 37%, over the same period last year, while the overall auto market is up just 1.1%. (mercurynews.com) The hybrid-electric vehicle market has grown from two models and fewer than 10,000 vehicles sold in 2000 to 11 models and an estimated 212,000 vehicles sold in 2005 (J.D. Power) The Toyota Prius accounted for more than half of hybrid sales in 2005. There is a magic with cars that get over 40 mpg in a $3 a gallon gasoline market
From its original thrifty origins, automakers have morphed the word “hybrid� to also mean performance and sometimes to describe very mild hybrids that have just enough technology to spin the name into their sheet metal. However, sales figures suggest that gas mileage means everything to the hybrid buyer.
EPA mileage figures are clearly printed on new car windows and while these figures are not always an accurate measurement of real world mileage (see one of my earlier posts), it certainly is an indicator of how much gas the machine will eat.
Vehicles bearing the word hybrid will likely sprout from every corner of the auto industry in the next couple years. Compare mileage estimates with hybrid verses non-hybrid models and compare that to the difference in cost for the two models. This information is available on all manufacturers’ websites.
The consumer has all the tools to see through the spin.
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I love my new 2006 Prius. With only 400 miles, I have experienced 41.8 avg. miles per gallon and it will only get better. Highway mpg. is averaging over 50 mpg. If you want to do something for the environment and your pocketbook, I would highly suggest considering a Prius. It's just the right thing to do. Am I losing any ammenities that my gas guzzling "loaded" SUV had? Absolutely not. The ammenities are phenominal from blue tooth capable phone, voice activated dvd, 6 disc cd changer with 12 speakers, smart key entry, calendar with appointment reminders, back up screen, easy in and out of parking spaces, leather seats and............I drive right past the gas stations....I don't have to stop to fill up!! And best of all, on my tax return for 2006, I will be able to apply a 3400. tax credit. So the Federal Government also feels strongly about the future of this country in regards to emmissions and dependancy of foreign oil. We need to do something in the country now. The American people are being abused by the major oil companies.
Nancy, your comment warms my green heart! Enjoy the Prius !
I just drove a 05 Civic Hybrid, 850 miles in 2 days and averaged 54 mpg. I am probably $60 richer than if I had driven your former "gas guzzling loaded SUV", just gave less money away to oil producing nations, lowered the deficit, lowered the next record profit of some oil company and didn’t pay a lot of fuel tax. A weekend well spent.