4th generation coming 2015!

Proverbial "...Red Herring..." news releases?!?

 

With the slowing of post on this thread, I have been reading several of the other PC threads.

It appears, that some PC writers, are expressing an increased interest in the G2 Volt. Now that is understandable, because from all I have read, it appears Chevy will market a G2 that may solve some of the major G1 faults.

I cannot help but wonder how many of the comments against Toyota ..... are rooted out of frustration for the delay, and disappointment in the rumored design?

 

I'm interested in the G2 volt because it seems like a "real" plugin, but have been put off by the lack of fifth seat and the mediocre gas mpg. I'm optimistic about the g4 Prius styling and performance, but if Toyota drops the ball, and the volt adds a 5th seat, I'd probably get the volt.

 

Toyota reveals custom Mark X, Harrier and Prius for Tokyo Auto Salon

Prius reveal next month....but it's only the prius alpha refreshed with higher roof line and maymaybe larger suspension.... so does this mean 4th gen reveal much later or is it a cover?

 

Or, Chevy may drop the ball by not adding a 5th seat,

 

They will...it's confirmed. What's not is if it's the flagship version or the lower brow one

 

You can add a 5th seat if the battery is no longer T-shaped.

 

For me, it's a partly because of the delay, but mostly because of how anti-EV Toyota has been acting lately, and essentially saying EV has no future, despite what Tesla, Nissan, BMW and other carmakers seem to be doing. Remember that Lexus commercial that photoshopped the range-extender out on that BMW i3 when some guys were taking a trip to Las Vegas?

They then claimed "No one wants us to build EV's", only to backtrack later and say "not enough people are asking us to build EV's" after people and journalists started calling them out on that.

I still enjoy my prius. But I want more EV action, and Toyota at the moment doesn't seem to want to provide us with that. They won't even sell the Plug-in Prius nationwide, and people who want one outside the states that sell them have to go through extra hoops, hurdles, and expenses to get it. And if they have that attitude with the next gen PiP, I won't have any choice but to go to a competitor.

 

It's telling how the short-sighted statements are selective. Notice how Ford's actions & claims aren't getting attention? What about GM not targeting mainstream consumers? There aren't even any expectations from Chrysler anymore. And what happened to Honda?

Toyota carefully studied the market and prepared by focusing on long-term. Yet, even in the face of $2 gas, they get grief for some delay. It's not like they don't have other high-efficiency choices available in the meantime. That's good business. They continue to sustain profit, even though the market isn't favorable.

As much as we'd all like to see more offerings like Leaf, that just plain isn't realistic. The other EV choices have come even remotely close to its success. Not rushing to market and delivering something for the masses is what Toyota strives for with Prius. That's a big reason why PHV wasn't rolled out to the other states. They're well aware of the tradeoffs involved and the opportunities available.

The short-sightedness is a matter of patience. Don't fall into the group-think trap. Focus on goals. Prius became a success by being attentive to mainstream priorities and not giving into pressure from enthusiasts.

 

The current belief is they dropped the height of the T shaped battery slightly and will add a 5th seat but it will be for kids or midgets. It's doable considering how much room was taken up by the center console. It will be like an old school car with a tranny tunnel bump on the floorboard.

 

The next big city is 84 miles away, traffic moves at 75-80 mph, even a Model S is not practical for me, because once I got caught in traffic, a normally 1 hour and 15 minute journey became 4 hours. The AC and stereo were running the whole time in that 2007 Camry during the 4 hours. I am one who is not knocking on doors for EVs, but for plug-in hybrids.
I posted this somewhere in PC. IMO most EVs are not practical at all. A petition to Toyota to build electric vehicles | Page 13 | PriusChat

 

You represent a small portion of society. Likely not a target demographic as well. PHEVs have a place though and for us they work well.

 

Yep, I am part of a small potion of society or these numbers say something!

 

They can say a lot of things. Your point is not clear, however.

 

The problem with EVs and same with fcv is the incentives. I'd say aside from the Tesla all evs are heavily inincentive babased and the mIrai is geared that way as well

However. Hybrids were originally incentivized also

 

Ok, try this! More Than 85 Million Vehicles Sold Worldwide in 2013 | World content from WardsAuto

 

A pure EV would probably not work for me either. I have 50 mile round trip commute, winter conditions, and there are virtually no charging stations in Buffalo NY. I know there are reasonably priced EVs with EPA rated ranges of 80 miles, but that's without heat and on a new battery.

Also I am not able to garage my car so recharging would have to be done outside. This would likely add significant cost to the charging station.

I think EVs will eventually be practical for me, but not with current battery technology.

 

That doesn't refute my point. Most people don't live 84 miles from the next town and spend 4 hrs in traffic. You're exaggerating to make a point in support of your love for fuel cells IMO. Over 50% of the population in the US lives in cities and this number continues to grow. BEVs work for a lot of people and PHEVs cover a lot more.

The numbers you cite do not represent the only population of people that BEVs and PHEVs work for. The adoption rate is much more complex than that.

 

And that's why there are PHEVs. A 110v outlet works well in most cases.

As an apartment dweller I totally understand the lack of charging infrastructure though. We're gaining traction but electrics are not for everyone.

 

I did not say anything about fuel cells!
I said a 4-hour traffic once, you did not read the post!