Retail hybrid car prices as suggested by manufacturers (better
known as MSRP) are decided by the car makers and advised to the
car dealers to be the base price guide in dealing with public
sale. Dealers providing fleet sales to corporate buyers have
also the invoice price, or that amount paid by the dealers to
the automakers, better used for wholesale purchases being made
from the dealers.
While these two serve as guides for the car buyer, prices may
increase due to additional costs for non-standard features or
add-ons to the vehicles. There are also charges for delivery to
move the vehicles to the final destination where buyer is
situated. Thereafter, sales taxes, marketing costs, registration
costs and other costs may be added by the dealership over and
above the MSRP or invoice price.
Price Ranges
As of this writing, at the bottom rung is the Toyota Prius,
most reasonably priced at suggested retail of $22,175, exclusive
of tax incentives that come along with purchases of hybrid,
environmentally-friendly units. At the high end of the spectrum
will be the 2007 Honda Accord Hybrid 4-wheel drive four-door
sedan, at around $31,000. Both these prices do not include
delivery or destination pricing.
The Array of Hybrid Car Prices
In between the Prius and the Accord, the Camry Hybrid from
Toyota is priced at around $26,000. The Saturn Aura Green Line
Hybrid starts at $22,695, a highly recommended purchase by many
hybrid enthusiasts. The Honda Hybrid FWD four door sedan starts
at $22,600 exclusive of destination costs.
To give you a gauge on SUVs, the Mercury Mariner 2008 Hybrid
four-wheel drive SUV starts at the bottom with $27,515, followed
by the Ford Escape Hybrid 4FD SUV at $27.250. Packed and loaded
with all amenities you can ask for, the 2007 Toyota Highlander
Hybrid can be yours for $32,500.
Price Indicators
The brand name comes with the package. With such prestigious
car makers as Toyota, Honda, Ford, Saturn, Mercury, Volkswagen,
Mercedes, the name comes at a premium. Brand name
notwithstanding, the full array of features and accessories not
included in standard units also impact on the final price of the
hybrid car you are purchasing.
Hybrid car prices are definitely higher than for conventional
models. That's because the manufacturer requires more resources
to produce the hybrids with their added valuable features -
these all add up to the cost. It is envisioned, though, that the
fuel savings from hybrids will more than compensate for the
usually higher purchase price compared to pure fossil-fuel
models.
To give you an idea, take the Honda Accord as an example. While
a value-packaged 4-door Accord Sedan can fetch for as low as
$19,450, the Hybrid Accord's price is almost twice higher at
more than $31,000. While Accord's special edition sedans and
coupes range from $23,350 to $23,450, these prices are still a
far cry from hybrid's prices. Only the EX-L four-wheel drive
2-door Accord Coupe comes close at $27,500.
The price differences among Civic models are somewhat more
manageable and saleable. Take a 4-door sedan Civic EX priced at
$19,510 add a hybrid system and you're $22,500 poorer. But the
price difference, at least, is not all that much.
Even with Toyota models, the fuel efficiency and
environmental-friendliness and zero-emission tags all come at a
premium. The Camry Hybrid starts at $25,200 when its
conventional sister is priced at only $18,570. Even with the
federal tax reductions for hybrid vehicles, the MSRP is still a
tad higher.
With the kind of research and development, not to mention the
extensive testing done on hybrid or alternative-fuel models,
it's not surprising that hybrid car prices are more expensive.
And manufacturers do not stop at the hybrid or fuel-efficiency
features; they also try and pack the hybrid with the latest in
electronics for the interiors, dash and instrumentation and
everything.
Standard or optional amenities notwithstanding,
environmentalists will always say that hybrid car prices are
worth every penny car buyers shed, if only to ensure a better,
cleaner, safer world for tomorrow. Amen to that, say the hybrid
manufacturers' environmental drum beaters.
About The Author: Ernest Jarquio is a successful Webmaster and
publisher of http://www.green-hybrid-cars.com/. Visit his
website to learn more about hybrid car prices and hybrid car
models.
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