Hybrids are the future of individual transportation. Where public transportation makes the most sense for saving energy, the hybrid is a close second. However, hybrids are most efficient in urban traffic. They also require a level of mechanical expertise that small down dealerships don’t have. In that case, will hybrids catch on at rural dealerships?
If you shop at a rural car dealership, and you consider a hybrid, ask this question. “Can anyone here work on this car?” You’ll likely get instructions to take your new gas saver to the nearest city for all maintenance. In that case, what’s the point. You’ll just be using more gas to save… gas. Since the service department is the bread and butter of any dealership, it’s likely the sales manager might just try to scare you out of buying that hybrid with an argument that goes something like this. “Did you know those hybrid batteries cost five thousand dollars to replace?” This is meant to make your response something to the effect that it would be cheaper to buy a gas engine.
Dealers certainly see the value in getting on the green bandwagon, and that includes the rural dealerships, but until they are better able to maintain and repair the hybrid cars that they sell, they are going to have a real customer service issue. In that case, they’ll need to invest in training their service staff on hybrid maintenance and repair. Once they cross this hurdle, they should be able to enjoy a healthy sales goal by selling hybrids.
SUVs and trucks are still king of the rural dealerships, so the Ford Escape Hybrid would likely become a best seller in the country. Trucks need their power to carry big loads, so it will still be awhile before a hybrid model will satisfy a rural customer. As for hybrid cars, rural dealerships could make a great pitch to their commuter customers who are in the greatest need of energy conservation.