Hybrid success: It's pure computer technology

I've been watching CNBC's coverage of the Detroit Auto Show all day long, and I've been struck by one thing: the past versus the future.

Today, Toyota's buzz has revolved around one thing, the future and hybrid cars. This morning the Lexus LS460 hybrid was unveiled, but the real hype, the real excitement is around the launch of the new Toyota Camry hybrid. Now, not to be too biased, the launch of the new conventional Camry is also big news, but the hype around the future for Toyota is still hybrids.

On the other hand, much of the buzz for Ford and GM seems to revolve around the past, particularly around the Cobra and Camero muscle cars.

Now I know that Ford has the Escape hybrid and the Mariner hybrid, and GM will soon be launching its own hybrids, but the Detroit Show again demonstrates just how far ahead Toyota is pulling into the future.

And, regarding GM hybrids, some are even questioning 'how hybrid' GM hybrids are really going to be. "What GM is talking about in my book are not hybrids," said David Healy, an auto analyst with Burnham Securities. "These are trucks with humongous starter motors." (more)

What also struck me, unfortunately, was how much horsepower drives America, which clarifies why not only Ford and GM are hyping the Cobra and Camero, but why Toyota is hyping the Lexus LS460 hybrid.

Horsepower is even driving Toyota hybrids.

Phil Lebeau of CNBC noted how hybrids have become focused on horsepower as much as fuel efficiency. Therefore, the Toyota Highlander hybrid gives you V6 performance with V4 fuel efficiency, but the focus is not purely on fuel efficiency. In fact Mr. Lebeau noted that new hybrid batteries, combined with new micro-processors and software, offer hybrid vehicles the ability to be even more fuel efficient, but that efficiency would come at the expense of horsepower.

So, fuel efficiency isn't even the pure driver of hybrids, yet. If gas prices spike in the coming years, that might change; however, if a breakthrough in hybrid batteries occurs, it might not even matter. Such a breakthrough would afford hybrids the ability to offer significant horsepower coupled with unbelievable fuel efficiency.

While gasoline electric hybrids might not dominate the future before fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles, I wouldn't bet against them if I were an automaker. Since computer technology has essentially become the driver of hybrid success, betting against hybrids is like betting that computers don't have any room for improvement.