Rush Limbaugh takes on the green car movement
In an attempt to stay politically neutral, we're going to stop short of offering opinions about Rush Limbaugh's recent statements regarding hybrid automobiles and the intent of automakers like Ford and Honda to "please politicians overseeing the industry's multibillion-dollar bailout." What we will say, though, is that Limbaugh's a little off when he suggests that hybrid vehicles are entirely unwanted. So sayeth Rush:"Nobody's buying 'em. Nobody wants them! The manufacturers are making them in droves to satisfy Obama! Sorry for yelling. Nobody wants them!"While it's true that hybrid vehicle sales tend to rise and fall with the ebb and flow of fuel prices, which are currently down from the record highs from a year ago, Edmunds' Green Car Advisor points out that 1.3 million hybrid vehicles have been sold in America since 1999, the first year the fuel-saving vehicles entered the market. Obviously, there are more than a few people out there who want to cut down on their fuel usage. Furthermore, these hybrid vehicle programs have been in development since well before President Obama was elected.
Limbaugh went on to argue that politicians killed the auto industry. There may be a measure of truth to that point, but there's certainly a number of other factors that have attributed a great deal to the current woes being felt by all automakers the world over.
As always, your mileage may vary. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section, but please keep it civil.
Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius
Gallery: Honda Insight LIVE
[Source: Rush Limbaugh via Green Car Advisor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 18)
misterdbarton 8:05AM (4/03/2009)
People still listen to this fool?
Reply
DesiAuto 8:21AM (4/03/2009)
There is nothing wrong in listening to him for entertainment purpose. Its like listening to Howard Stern. Go ahead enjoy their shows, but tune them out as soon as the show is over.You can't let your life influenced by people like Howard and Rush.
geo.stewart 8:29AM (4/03/2009)
Rush knows as much about the auto industry as Obama does.
xcrunk 8:29AM (4/03/2009)
Seriously, Rush is a dumb ass sometimes. And this is coming from a long time listener.
Rush should visit his local Honda dealer and check out the waiting list for the Insight. Or go to the local Toyota dealer and check the waiting list for the new Prius.
He's just wrong, people do want these vehicles.
geo.stewart 8:40AM (4/03/2009)
um, maybe he's not so stupid.
1.3million cars in 10 yrs has to be less than 1% of the cars sold in the US over that time. That's about a month's worth of car buying.
I'd venture more F150s, Silverados, Camrys, Civics, Mustangs, Focii, Corollas have been sold individually than Hybrids and Echos. You can argue supply but I dont hear anybody saying they went to buy a hybrid and hey were out so they bought the Silverado or standard Camry instead
Tohe 9:11AM (4/03/2009)
Haha that was quite graphic in my head ... So Sterns audience == Limbaugh's, guess that explains it.
stretchsje 11:00AM (4/03/2009)
Hybrids would not exist without government subsidies, from our country or others. It's a technology that might make sense some day, but they're being rushed to market for no good reason. Diesels make far more sense, as do pure electric cars as short-distance commuters. Hybrids are prohibiting the growth of both of these alternatives by being artificially priced below their market price, subsidized by tax payers who are being fleeced. The green movement, whether you find merit in environmental causes or not, is all about fleecing the tax payer and expanding government control. It's not the cause that's evil, except that it's being hugely manipulated for personal and state gain by lobbyists and politicians.
I'm glad Rush, who actually has some balls, is stepping up to the plate to tackle this issue.
James 11:05AM (4/03/2009)
Rush is nothing but a Neo-Con shill/"plant"...never took him seriously.
His poseur "conservative" rants are purely entertainment grade.
John 12:20PM (4/03/2009)
Well, I guess now that Bush is out of office the libs need to channel all their hatred towards someone. Looks like Rush is the new target.
BTW, His counterparts on the left like Matthews and Olbermann aren't even talented enough to keep jobs as elections reporters.
misterdbarton 12:24PM (4/03/2009)
@geo.stewart
The production numbers for these hybrids were very small. We're talking 100-200,000 a year max. So to sell 1.3 million in 10 years is pretty damn good if you ask me.
hyundai car salesman 1:11AM (4/04/2009)
The fact you even ask that shows just how out of touch you are. Whether you like him or not, he pulls in more listeners, 16-20 million, at any given time. And he's been doing so on a consistent basis regardless of who is in the White House. And while he's partially wrong about Hybrids, he partially right that their sales are limited and only cater to a very select group of people.
Will 9:42AM (4/04/2009)
How horrible Rush is to bring up the truth - right?
1.3 million in 10 years - or 130,000 hybrid sales per year ... less than 1% of all automotive sales per year in the USA.
REALLY GUYS???? Less than 1% of your sales, only 130,000 sales year constitutes a big demand?
PJ 1:24AM (4/05/2009)
Ferrari sold fewer than 6,500 cars *worldwide* in 2007, so... clearly, nobody wants a Ferrari either.
Look up "niche vehicle," please, and then apply critical thinking skills to its effects on supplier agreements and manufacturing capacity.
dee0722 7:28AM (4/05/2009)
Rush is right, as usual.
1.3m is a very small %, and the gov't bought alot of those. Next time you see a new hybrid check out the EPA ratings. The city MPG is higher than the highway MPG. It's counting on you doing alot of low-speed driving with the gas engine off. On some hybrids that means under 25mph. It also means with the AC off (batteries not strong enough to run AC in some cases).
Also the manufacturers get CAFE incentives for making hybrids. Factor in the gov't subsidies, battery replacement and disposal, and it's obvious that this hybrid fad is bogus.
wranglerm46 8:54AM (4/05/2009)
Unfortunatly yes, people still listen to this fool, and believe him to boot. Will the sheep ever learn? I doubt it.
Anne 9:17AM (4/05/2009)
I would LOVE an Escape Hybrid. Rush lives in the past, not the future.
mojojake 9:45AM (4/05/2009)
I also would like a Ford escape. They were out of them at the end of 2008 and there aren't many discounts for them. Plus, I just payed off my larger vehicle and will have to wait a couple of years to get one. Rush is wrong.
Charlotte 10:28AM (4/05/2009)
I agree; he's an idiot. That's why I had to wait for two months for the local dealership to get in the Toyota Camry Hybrid that I ordered; which, by the way, I love!!!
EEJASP 10:56AM (4/05/2009)
If the Prius is so great then why does Toyota lose money on each one they sell?
rg33943 12:38PM (4/05/2009)
obliviously... you are the one who is closed-minded. Have you even listen to Rush's program? I seriouly doubt it. He has millions of listeners to answer to... and many seek to slam him with a out-of-context statement. His analysis is based on fact... yours is just an opinion.
Do some research!