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May 15, 2008
Hybrids may be mostly Plain Janes but any car that gets good gas mileage is selling right now. And that usually means small and not very stylish.
Indeed, many of them look like bars of soap on wheels.
But that is hardly the point. In these uncertain days of rocketing gas prices, a lot of people are looking for economy. To heck with styling.
And not only hybrids. As a front page story in today’s USA Today reveals, the second-hand market for the small econoboxes from the 1990s like the Ford Festiva, Hyundai Excel and Geo Metro is booming.
At the same time, the second-hand market for SUVs is dead in the water, with many owners getting a nasty shock when they trade them in and get offers way below published values. But dealers can’t move them for love or money so cannot be blamed for offering cents on the dollar.
In another sign of the times, thecarconnection.com’s new Website offers car reviews by the following styles: Sedan; 2-Door; SUV/Wagon; Van; Truck; and Green Car.
And the Detroit Free Press reports that the iconic Toyota Prius is the world’s first mass-produced gas-electric hybrid vehicle to hit the one million mark in sales.
High gas prices, an unpopular war and looming clouds over the economy are making us all more frugal.
- Peter C.T. Elsworth
Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth 
at 10:16 AM to Fuel economy
| Permalink
Don't worry, there will soon enough be a burgeoning market for those SUVs as more and more people are dislocated from their homes due to foreclosures and a failing economy, and find suitable digs in gas-guzzling minivans. Like they say, you can live in your car, but you can't drive your house.
Posted by: You can live in your car, but you can't drive your house on May 16, 2008 11:00 AM
Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published.
