Quote:
Originally Posted by Hersbird
A small Chevy car isn't a big seller in any shape or form. Toyota is smart to take their #1 selling vehicle, maybe the 3rd or 4th best selling vehicle in the US and make a PHEV. I bet a PHWV F150 would outsell the Volt by a factor of 10 if it were available.
|
I've always said the industry started at the wrong end of the automotive segment to build hybrids. It started with the Honda Insight, which was the smallest and lightest 2-seater coupe they offered. Many on here are getting the same fuel economy without the electric motor because it's built efficiently to begin with. The return on expense for all the electric bits is infinite on a vehicle like that.
On the other hand, trucks have a huge amount of weight where recovering momentum back into a battery is more useful. It reduces fuel consumption, reduces brake wear, and allows a downsized engine to be used. Payback on the electrics would be much faster with an F150 since the fuel and maintenance savings are so much greater.
I can't wait for a PHEV pickup.