Bah, humbug!

[screembloodymurder]

I don't get it. I want a new, fuel efficient, hybrid Prius, but I can't even find one to test drive. Toyota's pre-production sales of their hybrid, 2006 RX400 SUV are already a record for any vehicle. It seems the auto makers can't keep up with the demand for these cars. So why aren't GM and other manufacturers responding to the demand?

Same thing's happening with HD plasma TV's. They could sell millions more at a reasonable price and there's plenty of competition, but prices don't seem to be dropping to my buying level.

They used to teach something called the "elasticity of demand" where demand goes up as the price goes down and at some price the profit potential is maximized so that both consumer and manufacturer are satisfied. Now it seems as though the manufacturers have become greedy. They no longer seem to respond to demand, but intentionally keep items scarce so they can gouge the consumer. Meanwhile the retailers offer trinkets for free, and discount pricing on junk nobody wants.

This Christmas, I'm not buying. How about you?

[hippiechick]

1. A car ? A Plasma Tv ?

As a Christmas Gift ?? Bwwaahahahahahaaaaaa !!

I'd be thrilled with fuzzy socks and a book of crossword puzzles.

Some of us have learned not to aim real high when it comes to holiday expenditures.


:hippie:

[indigobusiness]

2. I'm in your league, hippiechick

***Merry Christmas***

[screembloodymurder]

3. You're right

but take Christmas and the plasma TV out of the equation. How come I can't look at a fuel efficient, hybrid vehicle w/o begging the salesman to call me next time one shows up? How come the American car makers are ignoring, even ridiculing, the obvious demand? I watched the industry experts on CNBC put down the host for even suggesting hybrids are hot. Have these people lost their minds or are the paid pushers for the oil industry?

[charlie]

4. Replay of the mid-70s

when Detroit got caught flat-footed and Japan made permanent inroads into the market. Looks like it's gonna happen again, only worse.

[indigobusiness]

5. Both...

sadly.

***Merry Christmas***

[NervousRex]

6. Stop thief!

You stole the pic of my uncle!!! from yesterday's thread.....

Happy Holidays!!

[indigobusiness]

7. I've never been so grateful

for a black dot.

[WLKjr]

8. Honda will do it again, just wait and see.

They hit GM/Ford hard in the 70's, and they will do it again soon I believe.

Honda already makes motors for GM.