| We have all heard all the talk about the fuel economy | | | | models in the US. They have been available in Japan |
| and innovations of Hybrid Cars and how they are | | | | since 2003. The unit is called the Hino 165 Hybrid; |
| sweeping the nation. Last year in 2004 in fact over | | | | pictured here: price is still a little steep at $116,000 per |
| 88,000 Hybrids were sold and waiting lists are still | | | | truck which is just over two times the cost, but Hino |
| climbing. Honda, Toyota and Ford cannot build them | | | | a spokesman said in Transport Topics that in fact |
| fast enough. Things are changing indeed. Although still | | | | the fuel savings over a three year period would |
| a drop in the bucket considering the average 17 | | | | cover the additional costs and the Public Relations for |
| million cars sold each year in the United States we | | | | companies and the tax incentives in states like MA, |
| can see a hyperbolic trend forming as oil prices stay | | | | CA and NY would more than entice buyers to switch |
| high. Also with China and India entering the global | | | | over. The fuel saving is a solid 14 to 27% over the |
| game for demand for oil we will see the price per | | | | conventional models like the Isuzu and other |
| barrel to continue to remain high even if OPEC | | | | competing trucks like the one pictured here; of North |
| decides to stay on the same team, which built their | | | | America is convinced that buyers will put up the |
| industry there.The Japanese are now showcasing | | | | extra money for the new hybrids and many |
| their technologies in medium sized trucks. In fact Hino | | | | government agencies are already trying to order |
| Motors, which makes the very popular box type | | | | them. Meanwhile waiting lists at some fleet dealership |
| delivery trucks you see around town is now making | | | | locations are not forming. Think on this. |
| a diesel electric version to be available in the 2006 | | | | |