Prius v - a potential branding disaster?

Its still a Prius. V is the model. I believe V is for versatile.

 

I've joked about it...but really I don't think it will be a problem. Toyota wants to expand the Prius BRAND...which I think is wise...they built it to the point where it is synonymous with Hybrid, almost representitive..why not use that as they expand their offerings?

Since there is a Prius (small v) hatchback...in the 2010 line, and a now that same Prius is a 2011 Prius Five....and you have the incoming Prius \/ larger wagon....it seems confusing...but I think it will all work out. The products themselves are diverse enough that I think the naming will all work. Prius (original hatchback) ...Two, Three, Four and Five....trim levels..and Prius \/...wagon...and eventually Prius c and Prius Plug In...

I take it back....it's a nightmare...

But I can at least see people going to dealerships just to get the printed graph explaining what Prius they are actually looking at.....

PS.
Your Poll is indicative of part of the problem. It's technically the Prius V...Capital Large V...the Prius v...is technically highest trim level of the 2010...original Prius....so if you'll just reference your chart, you'll see in 2010 AD The Year of our Lord, Toyota created the 3rd Generation 2010 Prius...

 

I agree with TEM that it will cause confusion but I think it will work itself out. I remember that with the 2010 Prius using the Roman Numerals II, III, IV and V in their online ads and the dealership salesmen using the Package 2, 3, 4 and 5 descriptions which were carryovers from the Gen II packages, this caused some intial confusion.

There were some reports on PC where new shoppers got confused as to what the differences were between the models. Now you add the little "v" and try changing the Roman Numerals to numbers after a year's worth of RN's.

Yea, there is going to be initial confusion but I think disaster is a little too strong.

 

I can understanding wanting to build on the Prius brand name, and that adding another name to the family would perhaps dilute that. Numbers are common enough among other manufacturers, which leaves letters. But having model designations called the same thing as trim level designations? Maybe numbers for models and letters for trims were too simplistic? I'm sure Toyota has their reasons, and I hope it works out.

 

No, you are correct. TEM needs to go back and check on the v or V. The new Prius van is the little v. The 2010 Prius was the Roman Numeral V which will now change to the Five.

The confusion begins

 

Yes, I am Confusethed....???

I could of swore, The 2010 Prius was originally Prius v..and when the Prius wagon was introduced it was Prius V....then in 2011 The Prius (original) high trim level was going to be designated Prius Five....

So now Toyota is going with Hatchback Prius Five...upcoming wagon Prius v ?????

Ughh...back to the charts....

 

It is all so simple. The small v is the BIG car, whereas the bigger V was the smaller car, but only last year where now it is the Five.

 

It's not that they're not paying attention - if they're like me, they just know they bought a car that gets good mileage and have no idea what the hell it's called

 

Actually ... I respectfully suggest that you have it backwards (thus confirming how truly confusing it really is).

Prius V 2010 = Prius Five 2011 because V (upper case) is Roman Numeral 5

Prius v (lower case) 2011 is the new "versatile" van.

 

Oh, never mind, looks like this was "all cleared up" in a prior post.

 

Nevermind the posting confusion here - try searching for Prius v on the web..

 

Yeah, I think I've got it now...2010 Prius II, III. IV and V...2011 Prius Two, Three, Four and Five...

Upcoming Prius wagon Prius v...Trim level designations Brady, Partridge, Hawkings, Canterbury and top of the line...Wozniak....

 

What!! No Turing model... a travesty.

 

That is to hard on my head

Can we call the model Prius V Touring ( calling it a Touring gives it a Euro favour )