In the Chicago Sun-Times:
Dear Editor,
Betsy Hart is welcome to her opinions in "Hybrids might make you feel good, but why?" July 30, 2006, but not inventing the facts. For example, she claims,"Hybrids cost about $6,000 more to make than similar gas-powered car" yet a call to a local Toyota dealer, say Mid-Town Toyota 773-622-6300, and ask for two quotes, a Camry Hybrid and an equivalently outfitted Camry LXE. The price difference is closer to $1,500.
She goes on to claim, "buyers require the [tax rjw] subsidies" yet that does not explain the buyers of used hybrids who get no tax benefit, like me. We've been following the Ebay sales of used hybrids and finding that except for 'salvage' hybrids, they are selling much closer to the seller's asking price.
She claims, "sales of hybrids have dropped every month this year" yet the loss of all sales is driving GM and other US manufacturers into bankrupcy. The MSNBC report, "GM sales decline sharpy in June - Ford, DaimlerChrysler also report lower sales; Toyota surges." BTW, Ford did not include their Escape hybrid in their family pricing program in 2005 because they couldn't make and keep them on the lot. In fact, CNW Marketing reports the dealers have only a 4-day supply on their lots, not the usual 60-day supply.
We can forgive Betsy's opinions but false facts make us wonder why she didn't do a simple news service search or even call a local Toyota dealer. False facts deminishes the value of a news source.
Bob Wilson
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Huntsville, AL 35802
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