Man, what's up with the piling up of hybrid news all at once? Here's our hybrid roundup:
CNN/Money reports: Drivers run out of gas to save money. Free gas? We got your free gas right here, baby! We're pretty sure the folks who are depending on this free gas aren't the norm. Waiting for the dude to pass you with the free gas while you are pulled over on the highway (on your way to work) doesn't seem like the best use of time. And if you have a job that makes you unable to afford the $3 for gas, it's probably the kind of job that pays by the hour, so it doesn't make a lot of sense not to show up on time. Now don't get us wrong, gas is spendy. But waiting for free gas sure doesn't seem to be the answer.
Now here's Nissan saying, "Thanks, Toyota, for your hybrid technology.... (whispering to Eva) We don't need their stinkin' hybrid technology!" AutoWeek reports: Nissan won't rely on Toyota's hybrid technology for long, Ghosn says. Ha! There goes Mr. Ghosn biting the hand that feeds him. Or in this case, the hand that helps him lose money on each hybrid sale. It's so funny that while Mr. Ghosn really dislikes hybrids, he's still going to build 'em anyway. Stick to your guns, Mr. G!
President Bush looooooves hybrids! The Detroit News reports: Bush gives hybrid vehicles big boost. This is a big ol' "Duh!" if you ask us. If there's a gas guzzler tax, there should be a gas sipper payment. Or refund. Or whatever. Or a lap dance. That'd be friggin' sweet.
Looks like some hybrids do need that tax break dealie: CNN/Money reports: U.S. hybrid sales slack despite gasoline hike. The article doesn't mention that there are still only three real hybrids on the road (as we define a hybrid): compact(ish) cars that are specifically built to use less fuel. Dammit. The Accord hybrid is a great car but a crappy hybrid. And the Ford Escape doesn't count because it's a friggin' SUV (albeit a small one). The three hybrids currently for sale are still the same as last year (although the Civic has been updated to be our current lust car... well, after the Quattroporte): Honda Civic, Honda Insight, Toyota Prius. A couple others, the Nissan Altima and the Toyota Camry, have been announced, but neither is on sale yet. The Camry is supposed to go on sale soon, but as of today, you can't drive off the lot with one.
In general, we have to say we're pretty disappointed with the MSM's coverage of hybrids. The MSM seems to focus on the saving-money aspect of hybrids, but no one we've spoken with about hybrids has ever focused on the money. It's relevant now, of course, as gas prices rocket upwards, but the main reasons people we've talked with bought a hybrid were to use less fuel, pollute less, and get some dirty hippie lovin'. Using less fuel makes us less dependent on foreign nations, and that's a good thing. Hybrids pollute less, too, which is good for us living folks. So, shame on the MSM for not mentioning that. Meanwhile, they'll run articles on global warming and hurricanes and whatnot. But never dirty hippie love. Sigh.