Post BlogHer conference, we had to put $100 worth of gas in the Tahoe to get us home.
If you remember, GM was originally gonna lend BlogHer riders a much more fuel-efficient Malibu for our trip up to the conference. Unexpectedly, we got a Tahoe instead — one that’s a hybrid, but still only got 22 mpg.
In case you missed it, GM’s not doing so well these days — selling assets, laying off employees, closing a buncha plants that make big cars.
No, big cars aren’t doing well. Which makes me think that — if GM wants to sell cars — it should be pushing its smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. But GM’s still trying to push its humongo behemoths on a nation that, clearly, isn’t interested.
On our way back, my carpool partner Kendra and I tried to identify types of people who might actually buy a Tahoe. We came up with two demographics:
1. People who have 8+ children.
2. People who need to tow boats.
One other demographic was people who are v. rich. However, that demographic just demonstrates potential, not desire, for Tahoe ownership — meaning I just don’t get why some rich person would buy a minivan vs. a sports car — unless they have 8+ kids or a boat.
None of my friends have 8+ children or boats, as far as I know.
The Tahoe did its job, of course, which was to get us from LA to San Francisco and back. My point is that I think the Malibu coulda done that too….
[crossposted on BlogHer]
Part of it is that the whole domestic hybrid plan had been centered around making hybrid SUVs and pickup trucks. One of the things that I worked on at my old job is at http://www.newcars.com/ If you go to the Quick Car Finder in the upper right hand corner and type in “hybrid” you’ll get a list of all the hybrids that are currently available. It’s an interesting and informative list.
Comment by Don Hosek — July 21, 2008 @ 9:16 am
I think you forgot the very important demographic of people with Penis Envy.
Comment by Miss Grace — July 21, 2008 @ 9:37 am
Better to get a reasonably sized boat that you can tow with your bicycle.
Comment by Joe Linton — July 21, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
For some those big rides afford an assumed greater comfort and safety factor, regardless of the actual numbers related to same.
GM is straining to remain attractive and competitive to keep this shrinking gas guzzler market going with an appeal to green and economy.
I applaud them while tearing up at the thought of filling that $100 chasm.
Comment by Bob Bryant — July 21, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
as a suburban dweller, I know plenty of otherwise sane and aware adults who buy huge SUVs because they believe in the event of a crash, they and their children will be far safer. I think they just ignore the fact that SUVs are harder to manuever, are less responsive and are less able to avoid accidents.
That being said, not all minivans are not great on mileage. The king of all mini vans, Honda Odyssey, gets 18-20 mph - which is atrocious.
Comment by ophiesay — July 22, 2008 @ 11:22 am
If someone has a boat, they can rent a SUV for much less than owning one. The really rich people would probably buy a luxury suv instead (bmw, porche, lexus). I know people with only 2 or 3 kids buy large SUV’a because they need more space and dont want to drive a minivan.
I’m glad the financial cost of driving a SUV is more proportional to the environmental cost now.
Comment by Jason Li — July 24, 2008 @ 4:02 am
There’s an interesting campaign to get more automakers on board with selling hybrid minivans. I drive my kids around and want a safe, spacious mode of transport that is big enough to carpool (SUVs don’t work). Toyota already makes a hybrid in Japan, but won’t say if it will bring it to the US.
Check it out:
http://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/let-s-bring-hybrid-minivans-to-the-suburbs
Comment by stephanie — July 29, 2008 @ 1:20 pm