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Now this is something that I would’ve assumed to have been common sense. I mean did Chrysler really think that real pickup truck owners would want to be seen in something that says “HYBRID” on it? I understand that it’s great to be environmentally conscious, but people who use pickups, and I mean really use pickups want a vehicle that simply does the job. They’re looking for a truck that’s easy to use, relatively maintenance free and will run forever. That’s the American pickup truck consumer.
General Motors went down this road last year and sold only 1,576 hybrid pickup trucks. Hardly worth the development cost if you ask me. Like I said, pickup truck owners want ease of use, power and reliability. So, instead of going all nutty with the hybrids, how about focusing on something more consumer friendly like a nice high torque clean diesel – sound like a good idea?
Source: http://www.greencarreports.com
Well, yes, that does sound like a good idea.
But then again a hybridized Dodge Dakota could deliver the Holy Grail of suburban pickups trucks – something with decent mileage for the daily commute, that can still haul rocks and pull a boat on the weekend.
I’d buy a hybrid pickup instantly if it was as well built, reliable and efficient as my 2002 Prius and as capable as my 6-cyl 1991 long-bed Dakota. It’d be the perfect auto for me! But the hybrid SUVs and trucks I’ve seen so far were all gas-guzzling, poor-performance cars disguised as trucks.