http://www.theglobeandmail.com/auto/next...

Sorry, but I just love reading my thoughts in the mainstream post - months after posting them here. "Wealthy greens" anyone?

"Even those willing to pay more money upfront to buy a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will want to be able to make up the difference over time, concludes a study released at a conference in Detroit last week.

"As the premiums for PHEVs doubled from $2,500 to $5,000 and doubled again to $10,000, there was a uniform decline in purchase probabilities across all of the socio-economic characteristics measured," found the University of Michigan/Reuters study.

"The average purchase probability at the (U.S.) $10,000 premium fell by 70 per cent to just a one in seven chance of purchase from nearly a one in two chance at the $2,500 premium," with more than half of those surveyed saying there's no way they'd consider a plug-in hybrid that required an extra 10 grand.

However, there was a significant "green halo" effect found from potential buyers interested in more than simply economic reasons for buying plug-in hybrid vehicles. In fact, it is the positive social and environmental social feedback provided by the purchase of the first few plug-in hybrid vehicles that will help spark further interest in PHEVs, and therefore make them more appealing and affordable to the larger masses of mainstream buyers who are more interested in the economic bottom line."

...

"They and the Civic will become smaller, more fuel-efficient, and less expensive than planned, Honda CEO Ito said.

But there is still a concern here in North America that the move to smaller and cheaper vehicles seen over the summer and with last year's record fuel prices may not be seen again for a while.

"As long as gas is cheap (in North America), people want big vehicles," said Honda Canada PR manager Richard Jacobs."


Kez - I too wish everyone's first concern was the environment and protecting the planet for everyone's benefit, but sadly, all the wishing in the world won't make it happen.