Perhaps the big difference between Brits and Americans is that us Brits are naturally more cynical. Take cars as an example. In the US hybrid cars are all the rage and are helping see a change in the established order, with the big three US car giants, Ford, GM and Chrysler all seeing a fall in sales, while Toyota and to a lesser extent other Japanese companies with hybrid vehicles, seem to be going from good to better. In the UK, on the other hand, the talk is how hybrid cars are just a gimmick and a marketing creation providing the illusion of being friendly to the environment.
Across the pond, both in Canada and the US, it was a barmy last month for Toyota, while it was April showers for the established order. In fact sales were down 10.7% for GM, 7% for Ford and 6% for DaimlerChrysler. Admittedly the poor performance was exaggerated by the fact that April had less sales days than normal. But compare this performance with Toyota which enjoyed an 8.5% rise and Honda with a 6.5% jump.
But then again, the Brits might be more cynical in their beliefs, but maybe US lawmakers tend to be more cynical in their behaviour. In an effort to encourage sales of hybrid cars, Congress introduced certain tax breaks for purchasers. But in a move that had been described by many as simply anti Toyota, last year it changed the rules so that the tax breaks only applied to hybrid models that have seen sales of less than 60,000 vehicles. Toyota, then, which had the foresight to introduce its dual petrol and electricity cars before anyone else, has been penalised for its forward planning.
Despite the apparent anti Toyota legislation, the company’s performance remains very impressive, especially when you consider that overall car sales in the US were down 3% last month.
Meanwhile in Canada, Toyota has enjoyed its best month ever. Selling 21,212 cars, it went against the pack, with Canadian car sales down 5% overall, with GM down a staggering 18.8%.
But back to the cynical consumer end of the pond, and the hybrid car seems to be getting something of a battering. Both Tory leader David Cameron and Labour man in waiting, Gordon Brown, have recently been taking to the roads in hybrids. But then again, say the press, the two leaders have got themselves vehicles that are only good for the environment if you are a traffic jam. Apparently, the Tory boy wonder has chosen a Lexus hybrid saloon, which can do 155mph,but at motorway speeds is just as much a gas guzzler as conventional cars.
The Which Consumer magazine has been carrying out tests on hybrid cars and their conclusion: because these vehicles carry a big battery they can are a lot less efficient on the open road.
In fact, suggests Which, hybrid cars are little more than clever marketing and have few advantages over diesel. They might be right, but then again car enthusiasts are not exactly known for their green credentials. If you like your cars fast and loud, then being kind to the environment does not exactly match your main priority. So any car reviewers who find against hybrid might not be altogether neutral. As the RAC are now saying, maybe the future lies in hybrid diesel cars.
Sources
Big Three April sales slumped CNNMoney
Toyota has best-ever month amid falling car sales Toronto Star
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