Customers Say Hybrid Cars Are Passing The Test Of Time - Det. News

[hatrack]

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"U.S. motorists were first introduced to gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles six years ago, but the honeymoon is still going strong, according to an influential consumer survey. The Toyota Prius, which features a gasoline-powered engine paired with a fuel-saving electric motor, won top marks in Consumer Reports magazine's owner satisfaction survey.

When the magazine asked owners if they would buy another Prius, 94 percent of 1,640 respondents said they would, beating out the 92 percent score achieved by the Lexus LS430 luxury sedan. The Honda Accord was the magazine's top pick for family sedan. The Accord beat out 32 products, including perennial favorites such as the Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat.

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Annual sales of hybrid vehicles reached nearly 90,000 last year and is expected to top a half million within eight years, Power said. In April, Toyota will launch its second gas-electric vehicle -- the Lexus RX400h. Two months later, a hybrid version of the Highlander sport utility vehicle will go on sale. The new models along with the Prius will push Toyota's total hybrid sales past 100,000 units, said Dave Hermance, a senior environmental engineer with Toyota USA.

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General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group, two companies that were initially reluctant to join the hybrid party, recently agreed to work together on developing hybrid technology."

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http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0503/08/C01-110688.htm

[phantom power]

1. This can't be true. GM assured us that it's just a hippie fad.

[midnight armadillo]

2. Damn straight

Any minute now all those hybrid buying nitwits will return to their American buying habits: massive 6,000 lb SUVs for driving on well-paved suburban roads.

[Wilms]

3. Here in SUVilla, someones hybrid's plate says "4UEARTH"

And Cooper's are a fashion statement. (I'll take it.)