Even putting the overall environmental impact of production aside, hybrids make no sense for the vast majority of Americans who do not live in a dense urban area. Only in such a place will a hybrid save much, as it will shut down the engine during the frequent stops.
Many Americans today are commuting 15-50 miles on freeways. They may encounter some stop-and-go traffic, but that is usually for a small percentage of their driving.
For freeway commuters, and people who live in suburban and rural areas, diesels make much more sense.
By the time I found out they had even made diesel Chevettes,mini-pickups,or Escorts, they weren’t.The diesel premium on a new VW on top of the VW price was/is too much for me. GM could have done much better with the diesel conversion of the mid-70s Olds ,etc.;instead GM skimped and made a diesel that established the idea that diesels are only for big trucks.