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The Model T of the plug-in hybrid?

There has been a ton of news about Fisker Automotive in the last several days. I guess being connected to the VP of the US is a pretty smart move, especially when the government is doling out $50 billion in fuel efficient loans and other grants, etc. these days to automakers and suppliers.

Still, how important is Fisker, and it’s plug-in hybrids, to America’s automotive future?

As with Tesla, I respect Fisker’s focus on fuel-efficient, technologically-advanced products, but we’re still talking about luxury vehicles. I mean, how much has Porsche, Ferarri, etc. really driven the future of the gasoline-engined auto industry?

Of course, the plug-in future is different. New. One innovation could change everything. Nonetheless, the future of the plug is scale, or millions of sales every year.

After selling more than 2 million hybrid cars, Toyota’s hybrid technology still hasn’t scaled enough to be cost-effective for most consumers, but Fisker or Tesla can achieve scale via tens of thousands of luxury plug-in vehicle sales per year?

Or, perhaps these luxury plug-in automakers are simply using luxury plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles to bridge to $50,000 ‘economic’ versions that can compete with a Chevy Volt, a plug-in Toyota Prius, or a Nissan Leaf, etc in 2015?

Maybe. Still, I cannot help but ask, is a new automaker really the missing part of the oil-free revolution, or is the real issue the cheap cost of petroleum – at least in terms of pump prices?

Mercedes today has officially taken the wraps off the 2010 E-Class Estate, a highly functional variant of the E-Class that will launch this November. As you’d expect, the model’s styling closely resembles that of the sedan version save for the vastly more grocery friendly rear end, with designers choosing to emphasize horizontal lines (note the band formed by the tail lights and chromed tailgate, for example), all of which serves to emphasize the supreme functionality of the estate.

Number 10

Despite some supply issues the Toyota Prius was the 10th best selling vehicle in the US in October according to the latest data.

Obviously, that proves conventional hybrid cars don’t need new tax credits, right? Thus, tax credits should be reserved for larger battery-powered vehicles?

Why?

Wouldn’t it be beneficial to get as many hybrids on the road as possible as quickly as possible? Likewise, might not tax credits for hybrids force other automakers to get serious about challenging the Prius in terms of hybrid sales?

Certainly, such a credit would hurt US automakers in the short term, but nothing breeds change like necessity. Besides, if plug-in hybrids are going anywhere, a lot more conventional hybrids are going to get there first, and both hybrid types can share battery technology.

Finally, even a little protectionism could be added to such a credit. For instance, make the credit available only for hybrids manufactured in America.