No Bob, it doesn't make sense, the opposite is the case.

If hybrids are "secondary" they are in that they are the second vehicle purchased which allows it to be the primary mileage vehicle with the first and less thrifty vehicle left for hauling or towing etc.

If it a "style" issue you have to drive it to be stylin'.

On a slightly different aspect on this, I have read studies in the past that show a trend toward owners of fuel misers traveling more and farther just for enjoyment, potentially reducing the real saves by going places you wouldn't have gone. Probably a study done by CATO or Reason arguing that higher CAFE will lead to more fuel consumption.

I personally can say this has been true for me in the past. I was living in Garden City Kansas while driving a 74 Duster that got 17mph. Being in the middle of nowhere with little for entertainment I traveled to Wichita a few times but was stuck for the most part, Dodge City doesn't really count. Then I bought a 86 Colt that I averaged 38mpg with. Soon enough we were regularly driving to K.C., Denver, Colorado Springs, Amarillo, even Dallas a few times. I put on 50K in 2.5 years. I'm sure I wouldn't have done near that with the Duster, but getting out of Garden City on a regular basis may have saved my marriage. Overall I used more gas with the Colt, but life was much better.

CNW's logic makes no sense.