A poor resale value will wipe out any fuel cost benefits, even if the car runs perfectly through its whole life.
The only way for a smart consumer to take on a hybrid from any manufacturer is to lease it, which would cover the cost of your repairs (if not the inconvenience they cause) and give you the option to walk away or refinance the remainder, depending upon the situation at the moment of truth.
Perhaps the buying public knows all this and that's why they've given hybrids a wide berth here and in Japan. Let's hope this hasn't changed with all of the current hoopla about the Prius and other hybrids, current and forthcoming.