High-priced hybrids on Aussie roads
Writing by Dusan on Monday, 26 of November , 2007 at 0
In Australia, there is only a small range of hybrid vehicles available. Toyota Prius, Honda Civic and Lexus GS450h and RX400h.Australia have big territory with only over 21M people and cars are used here very often. Everyone is driving, owning few cars is normal and lot of people travel long distance every day. Take me for example – around 200km every day. Motorway and highway mostly. Not to say that most of tradesmen and truckies are on the road all the time. Trucks are used much more then trains for all industrial purpose and transport. Still, there is no mention about plans to manufacture any hybrid ute, utility, van or truck. And those are the vehicles that are on the road all the time. Anyone in Holden or Ford with similar ideas? Or maybe that should be Mitsubishi strategy to save its status in Australia.
Talking about cars, most of commuters won’t be able to afford hybrid with price of around 20% more than similar petrol car. Once again, being green is option for people with higher income, and most of us can not afford to be green. We will be on the road, sitting in our cars, guzzling petrol and dreaming about time when big car corporations will change their mindset.
And I expect that next hybrid to appear on Australian market will be hybrid Porsche (link below). Then, we all will be able to afford hybrid and make a change for better tomorrow…
For more reading refer to website below:
FAQ about Lexus hybrid cars
www.lexus.com.au/performancehybrid/
Links to all hybrids available in Australia
prius.toyota.com.au
www.honda.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/internet/Honda.com.au/Home/Showroom/Civic+Hybrid/
http://www.lexus.com.au/performancehybrid/hybrid.asp?view=models
And I guess this will be next one hybrid in Aus 
http://americanautomotivenews.com/porsche-cayenne-hybrid-2009/
- Add this post to
- Del.icio.us -
- Meneame -
- Digg
Comment by Lori
Made Saturday, 8 of December , 2007 at 0
Ive been looking to replace my ute for the past 12months. No public transport in rural Australia where I live and no, can’t find a small ‘green’ute. Will have to see how long my old car will hold out. C’mon Aussie Car Manufacturers, lead the way
Comment by Dusan
Made Sunday, 9 of December , 2007 at 0
Hi Lori,
I totally understand your problem. We have kids and small business plus live in the Blue Mountains. For business or big shopping we have to travel and take a bunch of stuff with us. We have second car – normal sedan, but our boxes just won’t fit in. So, we have to use our 4WD. Petrol burning monster. And it would be great to have alternative… While Holden and Ford are in the race of who will make bigger and stronger petrol engine. I think they should employ management with innovative thinking that will lead us in the brighter future.