There is an article today on Reuters about Toyota's latest rise in profits: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?t...storyID=5104691 What was particularly interesting to me was that, in the second paragraph, the author (Chang-Ran Kim) identifies Toyota, not as "the second largest automobile manufacturer in the world" (that comes a couple of paragraphs later), but as "the maker of the Prius hybrid car." Note that this is not an article about hybrids, and, in fact, the article barely mentions hybrids except as one of Toyota's many strengths. The Prius has already achieved such iconic/landmark/watershed/<your superlative here> status that this single product, just one out of uncountably many, with sales accounting for an infinitessimal percentage, nonetheless qualifies as Toyota's flagship.
A quote from the article I found interesting: So, it's not just the Prius drivers who are impressed with Toyota's products and future. A lot of people are putting their money where their mouth is.
I hope the corporate profits continue to remain high. It's those profits that are subsidizing the cost of the Prius. I've seen estimates as high as $3500 per car is being absorbed by Toyota to ensure the long term success of the hybrid technology.
The debate over Toyota subsidizing the Prius will go on for a long time, and only a bean (soy?)-counter in Toyota City will know the truth. However, the Prius has become the flagship of the next technological advance in the auto industry, and Toyota will be identified with it for a long time to come. Gas just went over $2.00 per gallon in our area and interest in my Prius is almost annoying - but I really like it in some ways. As an owner of Toyota stock, I am very pleased with the future potential of the company. I predict it will surpass GM world-wide by 2008.
hmmm, i read that every American Prius made a profit and that only the original Prius marketed in Japan was subsidized.
Well, if you factor in the cost of advertising and publicity into what Toyota 'gets' from the Prius, I think the cost of the amount of Ink and Video that the Prius has gotten this year if they had to buy advertising time would FAR exceed any subsidization of the cars If we aren't already there, we're right on the edge of a genuine MEDIA FRENZY!!!!
That would be true if all the media coverage was positive. but lately i sense some sabotage engineered by the oil companies and US auto makers. The "electrocution", "Not meeting EPA mileage estimates", and "Underpowered" articles that have popped up lately all smack of jealousy and one-sided reporting. Granted, we are imformed enough to take these rantings to be from people who have erroneous data or are driven by unforeseen forces. But I have personally encountered many people who have a lot of mis-guided notions and most of them were picked up in the past month. Has anyone else noticed this?
Well, there's some truth to the saying: "Any Publicity is Good Publicity" Another good saying is: "The Truth Will Out" If there is a real issue with mileage or safety, it will become apparent. If there isn't, the FUD mongers will be overwhelmed by the facts. But, Brand Recognition is priceless. When someone says 'hybrid' - what company do people think of? How many people now know what a Prius is who wouldn't have without the publicity? Plus, all those big award trophies have to look really good in the lobby.
The Prius Racing Team: We'll jackrabbit our way to elimination of the underpowered, plug in image of hybrids. The worse milage we'll get is probably around 40MPG......which is still above the 35 "user feedback" MPG. How do you drop to MPG in a Prius? I didn't know it can be done! Let's see. Anchor out the back, flat tires, 5 passengers, uphill, and against the wind?
Prius Racing Team....yea, count me in! I put some nice Enkei RS-5 racing wheels on mine and it really does give it a sportier look. I have noticed that a few drivers are surprised when I pass them on my way home from work in the morning. The Prius has a very good pick-up once you learn the point where the electric/gas combo kicks in. Mileage also does not seem to suffer much either.
