Prius Sales Down 45% in 2009

People don't want electric cars unless they have to buy them because gas prices are too high:

Sales of the Prius in the US were down from 15,011 in May 2008 to just 10,091 for the same month this year. For the year to date, sales of the Prius in the US stand at 42,753 compared to 79,675 in 2008 – a drop of more than 45 per cent.

Unless and until gas prices get back up to $4.00 per gallon (and based upon this Administration's goals, they will) people are not going to buy electric cars. They buy them because their pocketbook demands it, not their heart. Their heart is still in SUVs and comfy sedans.

I was at a tire store the other day and overheard the salesman talking to a Prius owner. Because of the fuel mileage the owner was under the impression that the Prius is a lightweight vehicle, but the tire store manager quickly disabused him of that idea.

In fact, the Prius is heavier than standard gasoline-engined cars of similar size and is therefore harder on tires. Some of what you gain in fuel mileage you lose in tire wear and the costs of buying sturdier tires. I've never heard that in all the conversations about the wisdom of buying a Prius.