Marketing Hybrids: Toyota Gets It, GM Didn't

People are snapping up the Toyota Prius because it makes a green statement and saves buyers' money at the pump, too.

Carmakers for years have been catering to people's tastes - - big fins, V-8 engines, macho names, you name it - - so it's no surprise that there's a niche out there for people who want to display their environmental values, too.

It's baffling that the GM and other American carmakers didn't see this coming - - didn't understand that baby-boomers came to age politically during the 60's, now have cash, and could be counted on to put some of their remaining alternative perspective into a car purchase, too.