Fusion is not all fashionable – another hybrid study confirms that !

The word fusion conjures up images of combinations, amalgams and a concoction of stuff. But the word Hybrid finds one visual image “SUVs” and many of us are under an impression that hybrid-electric automobiles are the “most developed” in the world of automobiles. The truth is – the assumptions are false!

It has taken the hybrid-electric vehicles more than 10 years to find its way into the American market and the American heart and yet statistics show that they hold just about 3 percent of market shares in America and 1 percent in the whole world. How impressive is that?

The irony gets worse, with so many players in the segment vying for attention and each trying to outdo one another with the introduction of more high-tech gizmos and gadgets; however, a huge chunk of the total market volume goes to Toyota Prius: The SUV is the world’s very first hybrid and has remained almost everyone’s favorite so much so every second hybrid that you see zooming past your car is a Toyota Prius. The vehicle has been renowned for its characteristic design and superlative styling and has earned the appreciation of users the world over.

However, the absence of perspective is quite obvious – distinctively when covering aspects of fuel economy. Contrary to beliefs, it has been noted that purchasing a hybrid vehicle does not preserve that much fuel to cover the additional dollars for the premium of a non-hybrid model of the same vehicle. And chiefly when fuel prices in the United States float around $2.70 per gallon.

A recent study was done to cover both the operating cost and depreciation value of SUVs: The range of cars included compact sedans like Honda Civic Hybrid to full size SUVs like GMC Yukon Hybrid and also the new and famous entrants like 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Not even the two devoted hybrids sold in the U.S – the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight were included. Yet another study showed the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid is the only hybrid that actually saves money and this is mainly because it is the most inexpensive S-Class sedan sold and gives the best fuel efficiency and mileage too. However, is anyone actually counting? It is a fact - Hybrids do not give back but these wonder cars are not purchased by people with an aim to take their kids fishing or something similar; they are purchased for a variety of reasons. Some buy Hybrids for more space (the number of seats, fuel economy and to haul cargo) yet there are others who purchase them to make a style statement. No matter what the reason is, people tend to fall for advertising gimmicks and take the plunge with hybrids.

For that matter, many people went all out and purchased the Toyota Prius just to make a statement that they were environment-friendly and wanted to go green. Motivations play a huge role in deciding the car you buy and it is these motivations that allow people to purchase hybrid models of non-hybrid cars or trucks; nevertheless does it actually help – and that is another question! To sum things up, hybrid-electric-gears are additionally costlier – not just that but also the luxurious trims that comes along with hybrid options on versions which are normally sold as gasoline cars – surpasses the owner’s gasoline savings of a lifetime! But then again – who is counting???