I think that Toyota, at least, is definitely making a profit and both Honda and Toyota are doing better than the American car makers, which is saying something.

I think there could be enough gauges and so on to give you a little wow factor on an economy model (I think you need at least the mpg gauge, if not a few more) as I think the gauges do affect the actual mpg that you will get. I am thinking behaviorally I guess. But I and many other drivers do not need bluetooth, nav, etc etc. etc. To me it gets silly for driving purposes. I want a radio and a CD player, heater, A/C, radial tires, and I like power windows and doors-- more for safety. (Less an issue in NM than in the big city.) Heck I don't mind keys, as i think you can lose of fob too.

I think hybrid in a *small* SUV makes sense. (I am thinking size-wise of an Outback, Forester, CRV, RAV) There are people with bigger families, more consistent hauling needs, etc. But I think a lot of people feel they need them based on commercials that show SUVs climbing mountains and sitting on the tops of canyons. If you put a hybrid engine in a larger SUV you don't get much return. Most of them get rather limited mileage gains and aren't true hybrids anyway.

BTW, that won't be so true with plug-ins. Also there exists an all electric RAV, not taht you can buy one.


--des