http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/...73253058744806

This was just a copy-cat of Mateja's original column. Since it showed up in an Alabama paper, my letter to the editor was tailored to fit local sensibilities.

- - - -

Dear Editor,

Jim Mateja's editorial, "Dealers go for green with hybrid incentives" claims ". . . consumers are demanding a discount" as if the laws of supply and demand have been suspended. Unless the customer comes in with a gun, the dealer is always free to say, "no deal" and walk away. Hybrids remain in short supply , "only a four-day supply" on the dealer lots. But the real whopper was the "$5,000-$9,000 premium."

Just call Reinhardt Toyota, 334-272-7147, and get two quotes for equivalent optioned Toyota Camrys, one a hybrid and one not but matching every other feature and you will find only a $1,500 price difference. This is less than the $3,150 tax credit available between now and the end of September.

The hybrid discount is going down as fast as Toyota, Honda and Ford figure out how to make hybrids more economical. Due to the simpler transmissions, fewer gears and no torque converter, they are ultimately cheaper to make.

Sad to say but Jim Mateja's piece is just plain wrong but then he quoted CNW Marketing . . . enuff said.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.