Shit, pinch me - WHAT year is it?
Even though doomsayers predicted the hybrid's shelf life would be short and sweet, it's still chugging along and even gaining momentum, like the "little engine that could" from the children's storybook.
Sky-high oil prices and an increased awareness of the energy and global-warming crises are helping fuel the hybrid's gradually increasing visibility. "It's part of the popular culture now. You are going to see more offerings," said Aaron Robinson, technical editor at Car and Driver magazine. "Car companies that do not offer hybrids will be seen as behind."
With gasoline now selling at higher than $3-a-gallon in much of the U.S., hybrids are certainly getting more attention than ever before in their short lifespan. (Those sold in the United States are all less than 10 years old.) Almost every major car company that does business in America is offering hybrids or has them in the works. "Fuel is only going to get more expensive," Robinson said. "People are changing their buying habits as a result."
EDIT
Part of the ongoing struggle in the auto industry is the balance between vehicle performance and fuel efficiency, with the major players generally believing that the former is more appealing to American drivers than the latter. That has led many of the SUV and other speedy hybrids to promise V6 or V8 performance with more miles to the gallon than a regular V6 or V8 car or truck. But some insiders say that's a miscalculation, since most hybrid buyers seem to care more about efficiency than power — especially since they're paying premiums of up to $5,000 when they purchase a part-electric car over an all-gas one, even if they do get financing and other incentives for going hybrid.
EDIT
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202414,00.html:eyes:
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