FWIW, I think using a vehicle in a taxi fleet (or perhaps as a law enforcement vehicle) is pretty much the best way to prove dependability in a model (as this seems to be the worst road duty an on-road vehicle will get). Well, maybe a driver's education car would rank up there too

As reported, the FEH has been in taxi fleets in NYC and SF since 2005 and no major issues (except for a few water pumps early on) have been reported. If there were some major design flaw or other quality issue, it would be reported by now. There are too many news outlets looking for the slightest hint of a story with NYC going all hybrid by 2012. (Look at this story where the initial PEV PT Cruiser didn't make the cut for example: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/07...it-as-ny-taxi/).

Side-note: A NYC Taxi medallion has sold for as much as $600,000. Kinda takes the sting out of a $30,000 vehicle price but imagine the gas cost savings when you go from 8-10mpg to 25-30? That's about ~$26,000 per year savings since the average cab goes 360 miles a day (two 10-12hour shifts).