I am curious as to what you mean by "leaving the target demographic blank". I happen to own two Escape Hybrids and I really don't give a rats hind end what the "target" demographic was. The vehicle fits my needs perfectly and uses half the gas as my former 2004 Escape V6. That to me is a no-brainer, even if it takes me the three years to break even that I expected (that is at $2.50 a gallon).

So who exactly was the ad campaign aimed at? I'd love to know what stereotype I am shattering now...

Chris - I agree with you 100% about the ruggedness of the Escape but except for groceries and a bunch of survey and engineering equipment that I carry for work, the Escape is for passengers. I keep an old F250 on the road just for the times when I need something hauled. Probably be cheaper to rent a Uhaul when I need to haul or tow something but it is nice to know it is out there when I need it.

Until there are significant breakthroughs in the technology, I think Hybrids are pretty limited to the smaller size vehicles. At some point, with more weight you need bigger motors and generators, more and heavier batteries. You would really start to get diminishing returns with a truck. I'd love to see more variety in the smaller vehicles - I'd buy a Hybrid Focus today if there was such a thing.....

Maybe Hummer will produce their H3 in a Hybrid one day - wouldn't that be ironic?!