Whither the Prius?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DeadPhish @ Jun 3 2006, 01:25 PM) [snapback]265233[/snapback]</div>

I do not know. I don't think the Prius and Camry are after the same market. I see the Camry appealing to the traditional family looking for a good, trusty, mid-sized car (and if I can be nicer to the planet -- without inconvenience, that's okay, too).

I think the Prius appeals more to a tech-savvy crowd that is interested in making a statement. The statement I feel I'm making is "we have some real problems here with the way we interact with our environment, and I'm interested in being part of the solution. I want to encourage new technology that doesn't sacrifice the car in the process." I think the range of options (clearly on the techy side) also appeal to the "techy early adopters". I see the Prius proving other technologies before risking it on the mainstream like Camry.

To me, Prius remains on the cutting edge, a place where the Camry doesn't want to risk going.

Just my $.02.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DeadPhish @ Jun 3 2006, 04:25 PM) [snapback]265233[/snapback]</div>

Unless the TCH is redesigned to look like a Prius, it will be visibly (and visually) distinct from the Prius. The public will see two different cars that don't even look the same. The public will go for the popular TCH, and a smaller segment (we know who we are) will continue to move ahead of the pack.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DeadPhish @ Jun 3 2006, 03:25 PM) [snapback]265233[/snapback]</div>

I can't ever remember a made in the USA or JAPAN automobile ever getting smaller. Seems to me there is more of a chance of the Camry moving more up scale while the Prius becomes more of a tech lovers dream.

 

I expect the Prius will be the test bed for new technology, especially high mileage and low emissions technology. Once the technology is tested, they will move it to other platforms.

 

Prius isn't going to disappear. Sorry, but that just doesn't make any sense... still.

We've been through this discussion countless times in the past already. Everytime the conclusion is that the two hybrids are siblings that complement each other, not compete. Each has too unique of a purpose.

And since Toyota wants to continue expanding marketshare, abruptly discontinuing a popular vehicle simply isn't a good business decision.

Or look at it this way, Prius is the only hatchback (of any size from Toyota) available.

Another way is to consider that multiple hybrid configurations must be provided. One size does not fit all. Camry-Hybrid is a excellent balance of everything. Prius puts greater emphasis on efficiency.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B Rad @ Jun 3 2006, 03:19 PM) [snapback]265264[/snapback]</div>

How about the Mustang II. Ohh, bad example. The Mustang II hardly qualified as a car.

But a friend of mine was very disappointed when he graduated from law school more than a couple of decades ago. He had always planned to buy a big new Caddy when he started practising. That year they shrunk the Caddies seriously, but he bought one anyway.

 

My comment is this...

Why write "1.25 GPC ( 80 mpg )" when simply writing 80mpg would say it in a language everyone understands and there is less typing since you wrote 80 mpg anyway?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Smooth Operator @ Jun 3 2006, 05:53 PM) [snapback]265291[/snapback]</div>

I stand corrected I kind of over looked the early 80's when Detroit shunk some of there cars. Seems that was about the same time Detroit started there big fall. Maybe they should try big fins and 500 lb chrome bumpers again.... They could even give a rebate for poor gas mileage...Oh! I guess I forgot about that to.....

 

Undoubtedly many potential buyers of a hybrid Camry will want to drive a Prius, too, if they haven't already. I think there's still enough of a gap in pricing between a low-end Prius (pkg #1-3) and a comparably-equipped Camry, especially for those (like me) for whom a low-end Prius is already a stretch, together with the hatchback advantage (for many of us) and the gee-whiz factor that the Prius will maintain a large portion of its present market share no matter what the Camry does.

As others have said, Toyota will probably play on that gee-whiz factor with the Prius. Remember, when they adjust the EPA tests and all those MPG ratings tumble, Toyota will want to put some distance between the Prius and whomever the closest competitors are then by getting the numbers back up. I doubt they'll have the technological flexibility to increase the Camry's MPG significantly and soon (discounting for now the possibility of a Camry plug-in), given the configuration they chose and the size/weight of that vehicle. Again Toyota is dealing with almost a perfect storm: what better time for a plug-in Prius---including, perhaps, a somewhat stripped-down "commuter version"?

What I keep waiting for is some competitive stirring from Honda---or even another Japanese manufacturer. It wouldn't hurt for someone to put a little pressure on our beloved Prius.

 

I agree with several posters above: Prius will remain the showcase for new technology, extreme efficiency, and extremely low emissions. I don't use the term "test bed," as that implies that the Prius is a test. The technology gets tested before it's put into a car marketed to the public. Showcase is what Prius is.

Since most people are scared of new technology, it must be introduced in a car aimed at early adopters (all of us) which then serves to put it in the public eye. That's what Prius is

As for the Camry hybrid, doesn't it have a much bigger engine and more power, and therefore lower mpg and higher emissions? Thus it is not competing for the same buyer.

The 2020 Prius will probably be a totally different car, but it will be Prius because it will be the latest cutting edge technology, aimed at early adopters, and intended as a showcase to prepare the buyers of other models to accept that technology in their cars.

On the other hand, whether it's still the most advanced car on the road will depend on what the other makers do, and whether any of them can leap-frog Toyota. Perhaps Honda or one of the up-and-coming Korean companies will come up with something even more advanced. We can only hope. But it is the 2004 Prius that proved that there is a market for an advanced, clean, efficient car.

 

Don't be really surprised if you don't see a Yaris Hybrid next year for the KIDS!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Jun 3 2006, 06:48 PM) [snapback]265289[/snapback]</div>

Yaris? Matrix? Both seem to be hatchbacks as well.

 

plus just the size difference is a factor, I'm small and the prius fits me and others where the camry feels too big. I think there is some overlap before really looking into it, I think the camry will make a lot of people feel good having a hybrid and I think its good but I don['t think the mileage will be the same. I see them as having different appeals.
As I wait for a certain color, I'm starting to wonder when we'll hear about the 2007 prius in the US?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Jun 3 2006, 09:25 PM) [snapback]265376[/snapback]</div>

Seem, but they are not. Their back windows are practically vertical, making them a wagon instead. The back of Prius is nearly horizontal, which is a very significant difference.

They are also smaller and not of the same quality class.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Jun 4 2006, 02:05 AM) [snapback]265485[/snapback]</div>

Both the Yaris and Prius are listed as liftback's by Toyota. So, your personal classification aside, Toyota considers them to both be hatchbacks.

As for quality, I would hope that the Yaris and Matrix aren't worse than the Prius.

 

I see that nothing has changed. Simply dismissing physical attributes is still not objective.

Using whatever label you can find won't change the reality that they are different.

The point is that they are NOT THE SAME.