Our company has chosen to use only hybrid cars, which got me thinking about the larger trend toward (and in some circles, obsession with) hybrids. Bloggers have certainly taken notice; The Blog “Stuff White People Like” dealt with the trend pretty humorously (here) and Treehugger declared “It’s Official: Green is Sexy.” According to the Treehugger article, "Close to nine in 10 women (88 percent) say they’d rather chat up someone with the latest fuel-efficient car versus the latest sports car,” and, “Eighty percent of American car buyers would find someone with the latest model fuel-efficient car more interesting to talk to at a party than someone with the latest model sports car." So there’s no doubt hybrids are trendy, the question is why.
A few thoughts on some possible reasons people love hybrids:
· Hype surrounding global warming/pollution: All over the media there are examples of global warming and pollution. Then you step outside and its over 90 degrees, code red air quality, and overall just stiflingly hot and humid. This makes it difficult not think about your own personal effect on the environment.
· Conspicuous consumption: Hybrid models still cost more (about $2500-3000) than their non-hybrid counterparts.
· Hard to get: In many places there is a waiting list or limited number of hybrids available for sale. The laws of supply and demand dictate that this scarcity makes hybrids even more desirable.
· Gas Prices: Gas near me reached as high as $4.24 at the end of last week! Who doesn’t want a car that needs gas half as often?
· New and Exciting: Hybrids have only been offered in the United States for about ten years, so there is still a buzz of excitement and mystery surrounding them.
But I think the bottom line is that hybrids allow their owners to feel as though they are doing something for the environment without actually having to make any huge sacrifices or alter any of their already-set routines. And I think that’s part of what we as a company are selling; we offer all the same services without skimping on any of them, but we are also environmentally conscious.
A few thoughts on some possible reasons people love hybrids:
· Hype surrounding global warming/pollution: All over the media there are examples of global warming and pollution. Then you step outside and its over 90 degrees, code red air quality, and overall just stiflingly hot and humid. This makes it difficult not think about your own personal effect on the environment.
· Conspicuous consumption: Hybrid models still cost more (about $2500-3000) than their non-hybrid counterparts.
· Hard to get: In many places there is a waiting list or limited number of hybrids available for sale. The laws of supply and demand dictate that this scarcity makes hybrids even more desirable.
· Gas Prices: Gas near me reached as high as $4.24 at the end of last week! Who doesn’t want a car that needs gas half as often?
· New and Exciting: Hybrids have only been offered in the United States for about ten years, so there is still a buzz of excitement and mystery surrounding them.
But I think the bottom line is that hybrids allow their owners to feel as though they are doing something for the environment without actually having to make any huge sacrifices or alter any of their already-set routines. And I think that’s part of what we as a company are selling; we offer all the same services without skimping on any of them, but we are also environmentally conscious.
2 comments:
Fenty, seems to enjoy the hybrid craze
http://dcist.com/2008/06/13/mayor_fenty_got_a_smart_car.php#comments
well there are definitely worse trends our mayors can, and have, "enjoyed".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Barry
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