It seems that just over the horizon we may have several hybrid vehicles for sale in the U.S. Looks like the Ford Focus will be available in a hybrid version in 2012-2013. I am sure that Hyundai and Kia will have an Elantra and a Forte version in hybrid fashion soon. When one of these other compaines has a hybrid that gets, lets say, 55 mpg average, what is going to happen to the Prius. Right now, I know the Prius is King..... alfon
The competetion will be great for the consumer. This can only make the vehicles better. I would have no problem with buying a Ford Focus if it is the best option.
They have over 10 years worth to catch up. Think of the Prius like the iPhone. The Prius/iPhone can only improve with competition.
no comparison. iPhone has the apps, engineering, marketing, and Apple name - esp Steve Jobs - going for it. Prius in 2010 was much more entrenched in its market than now and certainly in the future. The market will swell with improved tech esp in hybrid and electric. The gap has narrowed and will continue. Toyota is, and will be a force but does it have the deep pockets and/or engineering to be the leader? I am a Prius owner, but still - it's a car.... I have no reason to continue -or not- the next time I need new wheels.
When Toyota releases their 100mpg hybrid, The HSD2, as we call it at my desk, the world will play catch-up again.
People said the same thing regarding the iPhone when it was in its infancy. A new model dubbed the "iPhone killer" came out every month and look where the iPhone is now.
Free-enterprize is the machine that built the modern world and competition is the catalyst of this progress. Bring-on the other hybrids. I will be delighted to see US innovation, technology, and manufacturing top Toyota for MPG, quality, and design and then see Toyota, Honda, Hundai, and others scramble to raise the bar further. Economic Darwinism is an elegant substitute for war and, in the end, future car owners and aerobic life-forms will benefit from competition to design and build the cars of your future.
I think you mean "that is EPA rated at, say, 55mpg average". Many folks average >55mpg in the Gen-III Prius right now. I think reliability will be a factor people consider, even if another hybrid is rated higher mpg. STM other manufacturers are not aiming directly at the Prius, knowing that it's a tough target. Instead they try to compete on size, luxury, or price. Hyundai seems to be using the Sonata's lithium polymer battery for leverage.
A single Prius model has >50% of the market share. Additional PHV, v and c models are coming next year. We'll see how things play out next year. Exciting time ahead.
Wonder how long it will be until we see this car in the US? Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | Hybrid Sedan Mike
It can only mean good things for the Prius. Hopefully Toyota can continue to push the limit and lead in hybrid technology and learn from other companies.
It will get better. THere are many things Toyota can and will do to improve Prius, such as active radiator shutters to reduce drag, higher efficiency ICE (the new in works for Gen IV is 10% better), better battery with greater capacity and charge/discharge rate. Also promised plug in for all Gen IV.
