Quote:
Originally Posted by engatwork
Sitting here reading this makes me wonder if someone has been doing what they can to keep these type cars out of the US to try to make the hybrids looks better?
|
Well, when I have to make a decision as to which car I want here, it isn't as simple as it looks. You can't simply ship the thing over and let it go. There are a lot of other factors. You'd have to make it compliant with the local regulations, provide parts and support, market it, etc, etc. Sure, if it is just a matter of loading it up in a boat, send boat over, owner pick it up and never seen again, fair enough. Do you remember the Merkurs that were brought over? The XR4Ti came over from 85-89 and the Scorpio came over from 88-89. Doesn't mean squat that they stopped selling them. They had to provide parts for so long, manufacture them, etc, etc. The impression I get is that people think it is a "Just Do It" thing and there are no consequences for that action.
So now I have to have a multi-year commitment even if I decide at the end of 2 or 3 years, it is a bust. What will YOU, the customer offer? Will you pick up the tab? I think not. Look at your diesel pump for instance. Compared to the gas pumps, the diesel area is a 3rd world country. Fewer pumps unless you are at a truck stop, can't always get diesel but can get gas, even when you get diesel, the pumps are few and dirty, fuel gelling is a concern, price fluctuates wildly (can be 15 cents between locations less than a mile apart), etc, etc. A hybrid uses gas and can easily get fuel anywhere. If I bought another car it will be gas. I put up with the diesel only because I had to drive long distances of 200 miles a day. Now I don't so it becomes less tolerable.