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As others have said, I think you're selling peace of mind to the purchaser. Buying a Hybrid doesn't actually help you personally (the gas savings numbers tend
by lprubin 14y ago
As others have said, I think you're selling peace of mind to the purchaser. Buying a Hybrid doesn't actually help you personally (the gas savings numbers tend to be iffy at most), but it does help the environment an ever so slight amount. But what you're selling really is a sense that you're helping the world (which in includes other people) in some way. And I think the relative success of hybrids shows that there is a market for that type of selling.
- nagrom 14y agoThat really depends on why you think Priuses (Priusi?) sell. Certainly some sold because they 'help the planet', but I would wager that a lot sold because a Prius was an external statement about a fashionable cause. Brad Pitt drove one! Look how responsible I am! Etc. A hybrid is immediately obvious from the outside: a Prius is obviously recognisable. This feature is completely concealed, which takes a lot of the social cachet and signalling away from it. Musk recognised that, to really sell electric cars, you can't rely on the altruistic goodwill of a purchaser who wants to help reduce dependence on oil and reduce emissions. You have to make the absolute best car. So, how do you sell this without relying on altruism (which some do have, but not all)? I think reduced car tax and reduced insurance rates may be good guesses.