Ford doesn't have any interest in maintaining that myth -- they only have one hybrid model. Toyota is the only company currently getting rich off that particular myth.
They couldn't sell it in the US because by US standards it's tiny, underpowered and expensive.
The Honda Fit is tiny, underpowered and sells just fine. I think the article is correct on why it won't sell; size and power don't mean as much as they used to.
They couldn't sell it in the US because by US standards it's tiny, underpowered and expensive.