The PIP will lose market share in 2013 to the VOLT and be overtaken by the Tesla

I looked at the Tesla Model S before I bought my 2013 Prius. I couldn't get past the 60,000 dollar sticker price. I commute over 80 miles each way (for around 170 miles a day), and work doesn't have a charging station.

Now, if Project BlueStar actually happens, things could get VERY interesting. BlueStar is Telsa's 3rd generation car, targeted at the 30,000 mark, for somewhere around 2016, just when I think I'll need to replace the Prius.

Telsa does have a major disadvantage with they're current sales model. Go place a $5000 deposit, they'll build you "Your" car, and then you pay for it when the car shows up 3 - 4 months later.

 

The article did mention that BlueStar was essentially a scaled down model of the Model S, while the Model S will remain the Premium card with all the "new goodies". Trickle down economics!

 

imo, toyota should focus on quality and premium buyers, rather than strive for lower price point to drive higher volume. the volt and PIP are not identical so they can probably co-exist each serving their unique niche. the PIP is more family friendly and "safer" for the conservative, toyota loyalists (many here in CA).

as a PIP owner already, it doesn't matter to me if there are tons of others on the road

 

A 6.6KW charger would do very little for me. I am an exact match of GM's standard profile. I do all my charging at home and after hours...

That is sufficient for my commute though. Even if I could charge at work (They said no) it would not increase my EV/HV percentage, because I almost always have some EV miles available when I get home every day. Charging at work or in public would only serve to increase my charging costs...

But...If there are enough folks like you, maybe there will be enough demand for 6.6KW in the Gen 2 Volt. I've see quite a few folks ask for this, so it's possible....

 

Disadvantage? They have a one year long order list and they don't have to pay a dime for advertising.

Build To Order is probably more cost effective than Build To Stock, particularily when the technology is evolving.

If you aren't interested in putting down a $5000 deposit, or waiting, you can just make an offer for a slightly used one.

 

I do agree that you can sell more cars if you have them available on the lot. However, I wouldn't call it a major disadvantage. This is a common business model in Europe and it is not unheard of here. Additionally, you avoid the costs of having inventory sitting on the lots and all the costs associated with it.

 

Tesla has historically taken longer to release each model and at a higher price...

Remember the original business model?

- $100K Roadster in 2008
- $50K sedan (with 300 miles range) in 2009
- $30K sedan (with 300 miles range) in 2010

Pardon me if I am not holding my breath...

 

but you might drive everyone to lunch and on errands if you could quickly replenish.

I heavily use the public charging stations, mainly because they cost me less because of an EV charging subscription. Getting a faster charge would let more people use the existing stations.

You need to talk a manager at work into a Model S or a Volt so that they champion free charging at work

 

I question those dates.
Tesla's original master plan was indeed to produce the Roadster, then use the profits from than to produce a luxury sedan at about half the price, and use those profits to build a more economical sedan at bout half the price again.

But I don't believe anyone ever said they would do it in consecutive years.

 

Actually, I do most of the driving at lunch... Not only does it save me gas. It saves my co-workers gas too!

The Volt's EV range is still enough for my 15 mile commute, plus lunch, plus errands.

Sometimes I go out in the evening, but I usually have the opportunity to charge for an hour or two at home before I leave, giving me the opportunity to top off. This is the only time I don't charge during non-peak hours...

 

I wish Tesla had owner transferable orders like other high end build to order makers. My Italian colleagues use to supplement their incomes buying/selling production slots for Ferrari and Maserati production.

 

I don't know if I can find a link that old, but I have been following EV's for a long time. As I recall in 2006, that was Tesla's initial announcement...

 

Do you have a source to back up your assertion that the Prius hasn't actually made money until recently? Or can you clarify your statement there?

 

I would assert that any dates or timelines published prior to 2008 didn't anticipate the future meltdown and need 4 years added to them.

 

I disagree. I know of at least 2 owners at work who didn't have a Prius prior to the getting the PiP. They replaced low MPG vehicles with the PiP. HOV sticker availability was a factor in replacing the car, but was hardly the main driving factor.

My decision to replace my 2005 Prius with the PiP was not solely driven by the availability of the HOV sticker. It was merely one of the factors.

 

No interest or need in HOV sticker here, never owned a Prius (much less a hybrid) before. Needed 5 seats, ability to haul lots of musical equipment, most driving local with a few long trips, wife was unwilling to be seen in a Model S (!) and decided against (reserved) LEAF... not to mention the probable reliability of a Toyota over others. It isn't perfect, but good--and a bridge to the next car, hopefully ten years from now which will run on dirty laundry (cleaning the soiled bits in the process).

 

+1

I got to test drive a PiP in the state capitol. The only 1 in the entire state and they would not sell it. No other dealer within 5 hour drive has one for sale.

 

My daily commute is on Lawrence expressway (max 50 mph) and side streets (25-35 mph)...so no 62 mph parts of my normal commuting. When I do get on the freeway (lately once a week) I manually switch to HV on the on-ramp, go 5-10 miles or so, typically. Same thing if I go to SF (2 or 3 times in the last 6 months).

Mike