Three Reasons to Wait to Purchase a Hybrid
Even though gas prices have come down a bit in the last few weeks, the prices are still astronomical when compared to this time last year. In addition to the prices consumers are paying at the pump, the media coverage of the controversy surrounding the push by the bipartisan group of ten to allow an increase in offshore drilling is increasing consumer’s concerns about the future of oil. This doesn’t mean you should rush out now to buy a fancy new hybrid, next year is going to be an exciting year for the hybrid market; here are three reasons to wait to purchase a hybrid.
2009 Low-Cost Honda Hybrid
Last month, I posted a spy photo of the as of yet unnamed 2009 Honda Hybrid that looks surprisingly like a Toyota Prius. Industry leaders are predicting that this car will come in with a sub-$19k price tag which will open the vehicle up to more buyers. Recent news reports have stated that the reduced price tag will be in part to the lower cost to make the Integrated Motor Assistant (IMA) technology.
Jeremy Korzeniewski at autobloggreen posted that “Honda’s engineers have managed to simplify the IMA’s complicated mechanicals, making it smaller and easier to package in the process.†This simplification equates to a 50% reduction in cost for the hybrid system.
2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid
Obviously the price point on this car is going to be a bit higher than the 2009 Honda Hybrid but fans of the Mercedes-Benz SUVs will now have an opportunity to make an environmental statement by purchasing a Mercedes-Benz ML450. Despite a lawsuit filed against Mercedes-Benz battery supplier Cobasys, MB is still planning to launch the ML 450 hybrid in 2009.
2009 Cadillac Escalade
Those that want an SUV-sized SUV, the luxurious comfort that Cadillac is known for and better fuel efficiency should hold out until the 2009 Cadillac Escalade hits the dealerships. The new Escalade will use the jointly-created Two Mode Hybrid and will have a V8 engine capable of towing up to 6,000 pounds (like the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid).
These three hybrid models expected to be available in the relatively near future are great reasons to find a little patience and hold off on your new hybrid car purchase.
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$19,000 or so for a Honda Hybrid? Who can argue with that? It would be great to buy a hybrid at a more reasonable price and if it ends up being a good car, it could help drop prices of all hybrid vehicles!
[...] Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid The first German-made hybrid SUV will hit the streets in 2009 in the Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid. The vehicle is expected to get a miles per gallon rating in the high 20s. The engine is expected [...]