Despite the fact that ther are a wide assortment of American-sized hybrid vehicles on offer in the States, it seems that there isn’t really that much demand for them. Based on logic alone, it doesn’t really sound like a bad idea to partially electrify a large-engined gas guzzler in the quest for greater efficiency, and yet the market doesn’t seem to be sold on the idea at all.
According to USA Today, manufacturers have already started dropping large, luxurious hybrids from their lineups. First to come to mind is GM, which no longer offers electrically-assisted versions of their Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon.
Even Lexus is reportedly struggling, with only around 1 percent of their LS flagship sales consisting of hybrids (that equates to 9 out of 706 sold last month). In contrast, if we look at one of the firm’s smaller offerings, the ES, one in four is a hybrid.
One manufacturer that’s still going to give it a shot is Infiniti, with its QX60. Apparently, around 10 percent of buyers of that model are going for the hybrid, despite it carrying a $3,000 premium. Nissan is also going forward, with the relatively recent release of their Pathfinder Hybrid.
You may remember that former GM boss and renowned car guy Bob Lutz thinks that there definitely is a place for electrification in the automotive world, though he’s shifted his views in recent years, arguing that it’s a technique far more suitable for larger vehicles.
By Andrei Nedelea
PHOTO GALLERY
