 (Detroit : Michigan)--Ucs Automotive News : GM announced sales figures for it's fleet of hypothetical always soon to be produced Hybrid Vehicles. The GM figures for the Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon hybrids and Volt Models easily out paced Fords mythical Escape hybrid. According to the final figures the two Auto makers imaginary Hybrid production reached 185,000 vehicles for the first quarter of 2008.
According to Motor Tread Editor, Ben Lyion, "There's been a lot of hype surrounding the hybrid SUV offerings from the domestic automakers, most noticeably the Ford Escape hybrids and the Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon hybrids. These hybrid SUVs are great at generating good press for the companies and are bring buyers to the dealerships."
But with only 1,500 hybrid Tahoes available across the U.S. right now, only test drives are available. If you're interested in more than that, sorry.
What happens when customers do find a vehicle for sale ? How about finding out that, to buy Ford Escape hybrid, they'll need to pay $11,000 more than if they were buying a non-hybrid Escape. As NPR's Elizabeth Shogren reports, some dealers are slapping a $5,000 price premium on the Ford Escape hybrids, this is on top of the standard hybrid premium. It's a green revolution....for the dealers balance sheet.
Yes, The imaginary sales number look great but Wall Street punished the firms for their focus on the non-existatant Hybrid vehicles. While GM and Ford have shown their expertise marketing vehicles that are unavailable, market leader Toyota has quietly charged ahead with the actual production of Hybrid models.
In response to Wall Street criticism, GM Vice Chairman Robert A. Lutz stated "We are now the leader Hybrid marketing, some day we hope to take the lead in Hybrid manufacturing."
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