June 1st, 2008
America's ready. Where's the electric car? The fuel cell SUV?
The American consumer has spoken: give us smaller or lighter or more efficient cars. Not some day. Now. But as is too often the case, the public is way ahead of the business and marketing folks.
Example: my daughter’s old car recently developed serious probs. She has money set aside for a new one. She was in a county with over 300,000 residents and several car dealers. She couldnot find a single new Honda or Toyota hybrid. The dealers could not find her one within a day’s drive. And they could not promise they could get one in less than three weeks. She was ready to write a check, they had to deny her the car she would have bought.
Today there’s evidence this lag between the suppliers and the demanders is hurting even Toyota, maker of the increasingly popular Prius hybrid. The sharp decline in truck and SUV sales is forcing Toyota to signal a reduction in projected sales in America this year.
All those folks promising electric or fuel cell or plug-in hybrids who ordinary driving range…are way behind the public on this one. As gasoline in much of America is now over $4/gallon, folks are ready for the smaller or more efficient vehicle. Now. It just isn’t easy to find.
Here’s a recent news report on the Prius demand out-stripping supply. Less than clear what’s wrong except Toyota was caught flat-footed and unprepared for Americans to not welcome gas guzzling at $4/gallon. Waiting lists will continue.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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