The Union of Concerned Scientists — with all the credibility of the Super Friends — has released a Hybrid Scorecard that faults automakers for selling their fuel-efficient cars with forced features that drive up prices:
These features [DVD players, keyless entry systems, heated power mirrors and other pricey gadgets] are standard equipment, not options, and add an average of $3,000 to the bottom line. That’s on top of the “hybrid premium” that typically adds three to four grand to cover the cost of the electric motor and battery pack.“Consumers shouldn’t be forced to take features on the hybrids and pay thousands of dollars more because manufacturers don’t want to offer them a choice,” said Don Anair, a senior analyst in the vehicles program at the union. “People are looking for fuel-efficient vehicles, and they shouldn’t be forced to pay thousands more for them.”
The automakers can only make so many hybrids, which use new technologies and exotic raw materials, so they can’t make up low margins with volume. If they took out all those “unnecessary” high-margin add-ons, they couldn’t, and wouldn’t, sell the cars for thousands less.