Auto companies won't use a loss leader to enhance their image? Lets go back to 4 wheel steer Honda's. Talk about a waste but they got huge positive press for doing it and then it just faded away. The auto industry has never made squat selling small cars. Do you think Toyota is more interested in hybrids or taking over the sales of big pick up trucks?

We blame America for building big vehicles? In perspective who has made the biggest jump from small cars to big cars? Would have to be Toyota or Honda. Why do you think they are doing it? Because thats where the profit is. Why do you think they are selling hybrids in luxury vehicles? Because they can add on lots of extra's to recoup the losses from the expense of the hybrid technology.

Think I'm wrong? Why don't they sell Hybrid bare bones Echo's? Could it be because the hybrid portion of the vehicle isn't profitable for the MFGR just as it isn't cost effective for the consumer?
How many hybrids would be sold if you subtracted sales to government agencies and politicians who are trying to be politically correct?
I respect Hybrid owners for making a social statement about our wasteful energy useage but from an economic standpoint they aren't practical. Subsidy saves a lot more fuel if comperable funding is spent on mass transit