We’ve all heard all the talk about fuel economy and hybrid car innovations and how they’re taking the nation by storm. Last year in 2004, in fact, more than 88,000 hybrids were sold and the waiting lists continue to grow. Honda, Toyota, and Ford can’t make them fast enough. In fact, things are changing. Although it is still a drop in the bucket considering the average of 17 million cars sold each year in the United States, we can see a hyperbolic trend forming as oil prices remain high. Furthermore, with China and India entering the global oil demand game, we will see that the price per barrel will remain high even if OPEC decides to stay on the same team that built its industry there.
The Japanese are now showing off their technologies in midsize trucks. In fact, Hino Motors, which makes the popular box-type delivery trucks seen in the city, is now making a diesel electric version that will be available on 2006 models in the US They have been available in Japan since 2003. The unit is called the Hino 165 Hybrid; in the photo here:
http://fleetowner.com/hino.gif
The price is still a bit high at $ 116,000 per truck, which is a little more than twice the cost, but a Hino spokesperson said on Transport Topics that, in fact, the fuel savings over a three-year period would cover the Additional costs and corporate public relations and tax incentives in states like MA, CA and NY would entice buyers to switch. Fuel economy is a solid 14-27% over conventional models like the Isuzu and other competitive trucks like the one shown here;
http://www.newtrucks.com/pics/isuzublusky.jpg
Hino of North America is convinced that buyers will bring in the extra money for the new hybrids and many government agencies are already trying to order them. Meanwhile, waiting lists are not being formed at some fleet dealer locations. Think about this.
