Hybrid Autos - More Interest!

Interest in hybrid vehicles rising, study says

By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Auto Writer
12:01 PM CDT, June 24, 2008

DETROIT - U.S. consumers are showing more interest in hybrid technology despite the higher price tag for hybrid vehicles, although interest is highest in cheaper options such as backup assist cameras, according to a survey released Tuesday by the marketing and consulting company J.D. Power and Associates. Seventy-two percent of recent car buyers said they're definitely or probably interested in getting a hybrid for their next vehicle, up from 58 percent of consumers in 2005. But once the average $5,000 price differential for a hybrid was revealed, just 46 percent said they still were interested. Mike Marshall, director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power, said rising gas prices and a heightened effort by consumers to be more environmentally conscious are at the root of the increased interest in hybrids. He said hybrids held up well despite their cost and were the top feature over $500 in which buyers were interested. By comparison, consumers remain skeptical of clean diesel technology, which can improve fuel economy by 30 percent over traditional engines but has a lower premium of $1,800. Just 37 percent said they were interested in the technology, the study said.