You can read the JD Powers press release directly from:
http://www.jdpowers.com/
<Click on press release and enter "2006 Alternative PowerTrain Study">
I sent a note asking for a copy of the report but was told, "The full detailed report is designed for the automakers and suppliers." So I sent a follow-up note:
"Thank you. I just finished the press release and have one suggestion. My understanding is the price difference between a Camry Hybrid and an equivalent optioned Camry gas unit is closer to $1,200. One of the reasons for the higher hybrid costs are the premium options that are standard on a hybrid.
The part that I remain most interested in is ". . . hybrid owners report getting an average improvement of just 9 mpg." I suspect this is a function of which vehicle. Is there anyway to get a breakdown by vehicle of the survey reported hybrid MPG? We could then compare the survey results with what is reported in the GreenHybrid.com database:
http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/
Given the study date and release date of the Toyota Camry hybrid, were you able to get a statisticly signficant number of Camry hybrid responses? The GreenHybrid.com early MPG reports from Camry hybrid owners shows close agreement, 37 MPG, versus the 38/40 EPA highway/city.
http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/toyota-camryhybrid.html
In the GreenHybrid.com community, we look at how to maximize hybrid performance and collect our 'lessons learned' into FAQs for our membership. Not everyone follows them but those who do report positive results."
The conversation continues and we'll see what happens. The survey report dates are such that it is unliky the Toyota Camry hybrid was included:
"The 2006 Alternative Powertrain Study includes responses from more than 4,000 consumers who plan to purchase a new vehicle within the next two years. Respondents were surveyed in July 2006. The voice-of-the-customer components of the Automotive Environmental Index are derived from both the 2006 Alternative Powertrain Study and the 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The more than 63,000 respondents to the 2006 APEAL Study were surveyed between February and May 2006."
Bob Wilson