It looks like that photochop they had a few years ago that was supposed to be the 2005 Avalon.

 

"Look at me, I'm th-pecial!"

 

That is the thing though. Those are actual hybrid buyers. Buyers that probably would buy a hybrid no matter what it looked like simply because it is a hybrid. Who knows how many more hybrids companies may sell if they built good looking hybrids that looked like any other car. I myself am one of them and nearly everyone that I personally talk to among friends, family, and co workers say the same thing. I'm not against hybrids and would buy one myself today if they were more affordable and were good looking. The affordable ones look like crap and the good looking ones are very expensive (GS 450H).

My bet is if you made regular looking hybrids, those hybrid buyers that want different looking cars will complain, but still buy, and you will also attract additional buyers that never considered them because of their looks.

 

The headlights look like exact replicas of the Gallardo

 

not really sure about that - one hugely sucessful hybrid is Prius... RX400h and Highlander Hybrid are not as successful...

So it is safe to say that distinctive hybrids are more wanted than blend-ins...

 

I can't agree with this. In fact, the Prius is the ONLY hybrid I can think of that looks different, every other hybrid I can think of: Altima, Civic, Accord, Camry, Ford Escape, Saturn Vue, Silverado, RX400h, etc. looks almost exactly like it's regular engined counterpart. And none of those cars (with the exception of the RX) are overly expensive

 

I read on CL a few months ago that Highlander Hybrids constitute over 40% of total Highlander sales. I wouldn't call 40+% unsuccessful.

 

Don't forget the first production hybrid car, the Honda Insight.

 

So your saying if there were no Prius those hybrid buyers would elect not to buy any of the other ones? I still think a hybrid buyer will buy a hybrid no matter what. People who want that type of car will buy it if it looks like a Prius or looks like a regular car because they want what the hybrid has to offer. These are the types of people where style and looks is not a priority. I can't see how the hybrid segment will loose any buyers if they make more stylish and good looking hybrids. It doesn't have to look exactly like the gas car, but at least make it look nice.

I think people exclude cars because of they way it looks. I'm sure many more people would buy a Prius if it looked nice. Just like many more people would buy an xB if the gauges were in the traditional spot. My in laws loved the Scion but ended up buying a Matrix instead. To some, they can live with the gauges, to others it is a turn off.

 

I actually think the Prius weird styling works in its favor. I remember an article posted here that stated hybrid buyers wanted Toyota/Lexus to differentiate more than gas only vehicles.

 

That is what started this mini debate My question is would Prius buyers buy other normal looking hybrids if there were no Prius made, or would they want to be different so much that they would not buy a hybrid at all if it looks like any other car? What I'm saying is I'm willing to bet those hybrid buyers would buy another hybrid. They may complain it looks like everyone else, but they would buy it anyway. Now, The other question is how many people who haven't bought a Prius would have bought one if it looked better? The Prius is the best hybrid on the market of you are buying for economy no question. I would buy one if it were cheaper and looked better. I think the Prius has an advantage over other hybrids in its class because it looks different, but I think the hybrid industry in general can only gain more buyers by making better normal looking cars and not loose buyers.

 

I didnt say not sucessful... just not sucesful as Prius, which is sales king.

Camry hybrid is currently best hybrid on the market. We will see what happens with its sales, as compared to Prius sales.

It is also not only the looks, but reason Prius looks the way it is, is because they maximized the efficiency of the car.