Why Didn't Toyota get a charge out of the Plug In Prius?

because it is not only about EV range but also about interior space, gas efficiency, weight, cost, overall emission with consideration of national grid-mix.

 

Toyota wanted to build a better hybrid, not an extended range EV (like the Volt). They have stated that battery EVs are not where they want to go. The PiP has just enough EV capacity to satisfy compliance requirements in CARB states.

 

Battery size was chosen to keep the cargo floor flat. The pack did not drag down 50 MPG gas efficiency. If it did, emission would be higher than a regular Prius. Then a serious question would be raised and the DNA of Prius would be lost.

 

For many years Prius owners asked Toyota for a plug to just get a few miles.
By the time Toyoya finally gave us a plug there were other options out there. But I still like the PiP concept.

 

EV range in a hybrid is a buyer choice. The 10+ miles I get from my PIP is perfect for my commute. I wouldn't want to drag around more battery weight which would eat into my ICE mileage (currently running about 60 mpg).

That said, Toyota would be wise to provide a "modular" battery system that allowed a plug-in-hybrid buyer to choose from a selection of EV ranges when they buy.

 

Not sure you can blow a market if there was not a significant one to begin with, hundreds of cars over several years? not a market imo.

Even today, I am not convinced of the current "market"! maybe carmakers are in it just to play ball with: California. http://insideevs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2015-sales-chart-apr-vfinal4.png
Should have May 2015 Plug-Ins numbers by tomorrow!

Those of us who want Plug-ins sometimes forget that it is about selling what people will actually buy; Pick-ups, SUVs and Midsize Cars.
Toyota Corolla U.S. monthly Sales 2015
March 2015 - 35,532
Toyota Camry U.S. monthly Sales 2015
March 2015 - 40,800

 

So because EVs are not selling in as big numbers as the most popular cars they should be abandoned?
I sure am glad Toyota didn't feel that way back in the early 2000s.
It's a shame they apparently feel that way now.

 

why the toyota bashing? they a wide range of products second to none. line up all the alternative fuel vehicle manufacturers, and toyota is still at the top of the pyramid. it seems that some here want them to fail, while others believe they are already at the back of the pack.

if there are other products that are superior, buy them, and spend your time promoting them instead of bashing toyota. you can't miss a boat that hasn't left the dock.

 

I suppose I am so hard on the, because while GM was bashing hybrids, Toyota was showing just how well hybrids could work.
They didn't listen to the nay sayers and drove ahead with leadership.

Now, they are the ones bashing the future of plugin vehicles and hiding behind FCV which even they say will take decades to go anywhere and is, today, a step backwards for most people.

I'm disappointed in Toyota because I believed in their leadership. I defended them, the Prius and hybrids from the nay sayers.
And now, they are using some of the same twisted logic to attack plugins.

 

well, that rant wasn't directed at you specifically, but it does get a little tiresome. do you hope they are reading your posts.

 

I doubt this company wants advice from PC members: "Toyota has put one over the VW Group when it comes to earning a shilling" | Auto Express

World's 'most valuable' car brand revealed! | Wheels24

 

the o/p is a self promoter, who has no clue what he's writing about. while i am also waiting for the right ev to come along, i have no problem with toyota's decision. it's not their loss because there is no profit in ev's anyway.

 

"toyota takes the biscuit", i like this guy already.[/QUOTE]

 

It would be nice, but no, I don't expect it.
If you don't want to hear the answer, you shouldn't ask the question

I suppose I wouldn't feel nearly as much need to vent if I hadn't been so enomored by the Prius.
They were wonderful cars for our family.

 

and it's still a great car, not out of date or behind the times. and still more acceptable to the motoring public than anything else currently.

 

Absolutely, it's the best, IMO, gas car out there.
It just isn't pushing the boundaries anymore as it was.
Solid, reliable, and a great value.

Just not driving change anymore, now they are resisting change.

Myself, as an early adopter, I prefer rewarding companies that push boundaries and lead.
Hydrogen might qualify if Toyota was pushing it out to a wide audience. Here in Minnesota I doubt I will see them in my lifetime.
Even if it does though, for this driver, plugins are far more convenient, fun, spacious and useful than a hydrogen car will ever be.

 

can't argue with you. i feel the same way. it's just that the pip is perfect for me, and i don't want to wind up here at priuschat in the 'other car' forums.

 

They did not sell plug-ins last April, but collectively sold 1172 in April 2015. So these new players only increased April 2015 plug-in sale numbers by 199 vs. April 2014.

BMW i3 = 406
BMW i8 = 138
MB–B class = 158
KIA Soul EV = 73
VW e-Golf = 309
Porsche Cayenne SE = 88
Total = 1172 (April 2015)

OP's Market!

 

You know, the U.S. Congress set out to encourage and subsidize Plug_ins over hybrids, basically because Toyota had hybrids locked up so Congress was trying to give U.S. manufacturers the plug-in space of the market as a business opportunity. The BEV field is pretty darn crowded by CA/Congress mandates and push to try to make it work. It's not clear to me any of the plug-in vehicles are making a profit, rather autos are forced to take a loss, or maybe get ZEV credits, but the cars themselves are expensive yet. It's a little surprising Toyota did not go with the flow, but they are marching to a different drummer.