[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I’ve always said (on the basis of mechanical engineering lab work in college) that anyone who claims to be going all out for fuel economy - and what else is a hybrid supposed to be? - isn’t really trying if they’re using a spark-ignition engine instead of a diesel.

I suspect most buyers want the highest efficiency in $$$/mile, not miles per gallon. That makes the diesel hybrid a tough sell when including the purchase price.

People want a lot of things - performance no least. After all, none of us drives as slowly as we walk, even though we know that a vehicle made to run very slowly could attain very good fuel economy. But as far as economy goes, the value of fuel economy is great if you commute long distances, and insignificant if you only drive to church on Sunday. But then, if you’re an ecofreak, you get a lot of psychic reward from an impractical “emission free” electric car.

[thackney]

I think most will start with a desired performance & utility and compare price from there. If you need a pickup for the hauling capacity, you set your requirements and go from there to compare price. Sorry if I seemed to imply only price and nothing else; I did not mean that.

Last vehicle for me was required to be a new full size truck. From there I went to price ($/mile).