| Some products are too good to be true; an oven that | | | | the 4-cylinder engine insteadof the V6. This would've |
| can cook a turkey in 3 hoursbut is the size of a | | | | reduced performance but it would have increased |
| microwave. A pill that promises to burn weight faster | | | | fuelefficiency. It's a strategy that Toyota is following |
| than youcan pack it on. Many of these products fall | | | | with the 2007 Camry Hybrid. |
| victim to their own folly. Consumers aresavvy bunch. | | | | Perhaps hybrid buyers are willing to shed some |
| At least we like to think so. However sometimes a | | | | horsepower for the absolute bestfuel economy. Surely |
| product actuallydoes deliver the goods. | | | | this is a small group but it'll get larger as fuel prices |
| Lexus plans to introduce several models over the next | | | | increase. |
| few years that showcasehybrids as more than just | | | | As long as a car has respectable performance it |
| fuel misers, but rather as solid performance vehicles. | | | | seems that consumers wanttechnological advances to |
| Anexample of this is the 2007 Lexus LS 600h. With an | | | | go into finding more ways to save fuel than |
| all-new 5.0L V8 and a highoutput electric motor, the | | | | increasehorsepower. Or perhaps customers are just |
| All-Wheel-Drive LS 600h will produce 430hp when it | | | | skeptical of anything that promises thebest of both |
| hitsshowrooms in the spring of 2007. It should also | | | | worlds. But why wouldn't someone want great fuel |
| qualify for a Super Ultra Low | | | | efficiency and a lotof power? Today, most hybrid |
| Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating, which means it'll be | | | | owners aren't concerned with having class |
| about 70% cleaner than thenext closest competitor. | | | | leadinghorsepower. They want class leading fuel |
| Are consumers ready to accept a hybrid as a | | | | mileage. |
| viableperformance option? | | | | Should Lexus be worried? I don't think so. Unlike the |
| The initial answer is absolutely. Upon further | | | | Accord hybrid, Lexus won'thave any immediate hybrid |
| examination that may not be thecase...yet. Look at the | | | | competitors. Secondly, luxury car buyers put a |
| Honda Accord Hybrid. With 253hp (SAE Net), it's | | | | lotemphasis on performance. The new Lexus LS 600h |
| capable ofdoing 0-60mph in 7 seconds. It's the most | | | | may be looked upon as aperformance sedan that just |
| powerful Accord ever but sales havebeen slow. In | | | | happens to be a hybrid, instead of the other |
| fact, Honda may have to reduce production. At the | | | | wayaround. |
| same time, 4-cylinder hybrids such as the Honda Civic | | | | As hybrids continue to evolve beyond a novelty, it's |
| and Toyota Prius have far less power butsales have | | | | clear that North Americanbuyers continue to focus on |
| increased. Sure this is not an apples-to-apples | | | | the numbers. We just don't know for sure |
| comparison. The Civicand Accord are in different | | | | whatnumbers they'll find more important. Are North |
| segments, but it's surprising nonetheless. Perhaps | | | | American car buyers ready to have itall? |
| Honda should have produced the Accord hybrid with | | | | |