[Ming]

The problem with these hybrids is that they are not really a solution for anyone -- except the white hairs at GM who want to keep milking the Big Truck and SUV cash cow.

1. If a rural family, one that depends on this type of vehicle, is in a financial crisis because of the cost of gasoline, among other things, why would they spend the extra thousands of dollars for a fancy hybrid SUV when they could just get a stripped down, commercial grade, white paint and gray fabric seats model instead?

2. Suburban families are hurting, too, and again, the sticker price of a big, already expensive large SUV, is daunting.

3. Status symbols for rich folks? Maybe.

4. As GMUSA noted, no real advertising budget I've noticed, either.

5. Rural and blue collar disdain towards Hybrids as fancy-shmancy cars of choice for Greenies, Hippies, and those California-types not real red-blooded Americans.

6. GM just doesn't have a good image of fuel economy because it has painted itself into that corner over the years as being known as the "truck and SUV company". Toyota, on the other hand, has a halo that extends over even its most thirsty vehicles.

End result? I see these vehicles as having a very limited audience as long as gas prices are high and fears for the economy remain. This hybrid technology will do the most good if it can be worked into the average Tahoe and Silverado - and sold in even the most basic of those two vehicles.