CBS MarketWatch reviews 2004 Chevrolet Silverado hybrid

A CBS MarketWatch review of the Silverado hybrid says "hats off to GM for offering this truck, the first full-size pickup to utilize hybrid technology".

Yet, this truck can barely be considered a hybrid vehicle. More importantly, it only achieves about 16 mpg - about 2 mpg better than the standard hybrid.

Please. I'm supposed to pay an extra $2500.00 for 2 mpg?

The Toyota Prius costs an extra $3000.00 for 50 percent better fuel-efficiency, and even better pollution reductions.

That's a fair trade-off.

CBS concludes the article, "You can bet the pressure is on at GM to move full-size pickups a little further from the gas pump. It's nice to see a U.S. maker be the first out of the gate, even in a preliminary manner."

Again, this is not even preliminary.

First, this is barely a hybrid. Second, this car is barely a production vehicle.

Even the Ford Escape Hybrid, the first American full hybrid vehicle, is lacking compared to the Toyota Prius.

In fact, American automakers are simply no competition for Toyota at this point in time, and probably not for even a few years. Even if the Detroit Big 3 went "Gung Ho" for hybrids, they would still be years behind Toyota.

The only real competition for Toyota - in the short term - is another Japanese company. The Honda Accord hybrid, appears to be the only hybrid with a chance at challenging the Prius.

The Accord hybrid becomes available in early December

The fact is, the Silverado needs to be available as a full hybrid in order for this news to be newsworthy. And since America is so far behind in hybrid cars, winning the race to full hybrid trucks could be Detroit's saving grace.

The Big 3 definitely don't want the Tacoma to be the leader in hybrid truck technology and production.