Toyota May Use Prius as Basis for Line of Hybrids

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Don-RI, Nov 2, 2006.

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  1. PA

    PA Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Nov 2 2006, 11:58 AM) [snapback]342540[/snapback]</div>
    Make it look pretty ... Did you mean make it look pretty huge?
     
    #21 PA, Nov 3, 2006
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ml194152 @ Nov 3 2006, 02:47 PM) [snapback]343519[/snapback]</div>
    Well, the new ZR series engines are fairly efficient. I would imagine it and a new battery will push it past 60mpg mixed.

    Or, use the existing 1NZ (which I don't think they will since the new ZR engine is available in 1.5 litre config), put dual VVT-i and direct injection. That should bump both power and fuel efficient keeping everything else constant.
     
    #22 Tideland Prius, Nov 3, 2006
  3. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    i think a Prius mini-van might be a good offering.
     
    #23 DaveinOlyWA, Nov 3, 2006
  4. bigdaddy

    bigdaddy Member

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    I looking forward to the Toyota logo, Lexus logo, and one day Prius logo!
     
    #24 bigdaddy, Nov 4, 2006
  5. randreed

    randreed Same as it ever was . . .

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 2 2006, 12:21 PM) [snapback]342553[/snapback]</div>
    I'll take one Prius Roadster - as soon as possible please!
     
    #25 randreed, Nov 4, 2006
  6. Pious

    Pious New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TimBikes @ Nov 2 2006, 01:19 PM) [snapback]342801[/snapback]</div>
    They already have in Japan, using HSD... do your homework.
     
    #26 Pious, Nov 5, 2006
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pious @ Nov 4 2006, 11:27 PM) [snapback]344034[/snapback]</div>
    that's a little harsh eh?

    Yeah, they have two.
     
    #27 Tideland Prius, Nov 5, 2006
  8. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    The point is that they have hybrid minivans in Japan but they're not selling them in the U.S.

    There isn't anything anyone can do about that in the U.S.

    It must be communicated to Toyota that there is enough demand in the U.S. for a Hybrid Minivan for them to offer one. They can't just sell what they've got because it's a right hand drive so there is some cost involved.

    I asked a Toyota Engineer about the possibility of us getting some of the Prius options available in Japan like the signal mirrors. He said we'd never get them. There is apparently a marketing company in the U.S. that provides data to the Auto industry on what sells and what is profitable. So while other models of cars may have signal mirrors, the U.S. Prius isn't going to be sold with them. I find that pretty harsh. I'm wondering if the same method is determining there is no demand for a hybrid Minivan.
     
    #28 Godiva, Nov 5, 2006
  9. mehrenst

    mehrenst Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Nov 5 2006, 10:41 AM) [snapback]344147[/snapback]</div>
    Probably the same marketing company that said there really wasn't a market for a hybrid gasoline-electric car in the United States.
     
    #29 mehrenst, Nov 5, 2006
  10. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pious @ Nov 5 2006, 01:27 AM) [snapback]344034[/snapback]</div>
    I'll agree with the first half of that sentence but counter with the thought that for the last three years, this is where a lot of people have done their homework.

    The Prius was introduced in Japan in 1997. It was introduced in non-Japan countries in 2000. Following that "test-bed" mentality, Toyota has launched several new hybrid models in Japan over the last few years. Once they have worked out the kinks, they will bring them over here. I can not now find the article I saw indicating that there are ten current HSD models in Japan, including the Estima which should be available here for Model Year 2008.

    I know there is a demand and I'm sure Toyota knows there is a demand. But when I think about the ramifications of introducing a half-finished hybrid model into the sue-happy United States, I agree with their caution. There were people who wanted to sue Toyota because the EPA tests are bogus; there were threats of lawsuites when there were 9 shut-down incidents on American highways. MFDs have failed, bladders have been criticized, and firmwares have been patched. We early adaptors are willing to tolerate that. But when there's a family of five in the minivan and it shuts down on the interstate, you can count on a media blitz.
     
    #30 TonyPSchaefer, Nov 5, 2006
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    10?

    Prius, Crown, Coaster, Harrier, Kluger, Estima, Alphard, Camry, GS450h... the LS600h/LS600h L isn't launched yet is it? What's the 10th one?
     
    #31 Tideland Prius, Nov 5, 2006
  12. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 5 2006, 06:37 PM) [snapback]344254[/snapback]</div>
    Highlander?
     
    #32 Godiva, Nov 5, 2006
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Nov 5 2006, 04:19 PM) [snapback]344266[/snapback]</div>
    Kluger = Highlander
    Harrier = RX
     
    #33 Tideland Prius, Nov 5, 2006
  14. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 6 2006, 08:37 AM) [snapback]344254[/snapback]</div>
    FYI...

    Coaster was already on it's end of life.
    Camry Hybrid never been sold in Japan.

    So far...
    Prius - HSD(THS-II)
    Crown mild Hybrid - THS-M
    Alphard Hybrid minivan - THS-C
    Harrier Hybrid (RX 400h) - HSD
    Kluger Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid) - HSD
    Estima Hybrid minivan - HSD
    Lexus GS 450h - HSD

    If you can add 2t/3t trucks...
    Dyna Hybrid truck - parallel hybrid
    Toyo-ace Hybrid truck - parallel hybrid

    Ken@Japan
     
    #34 ken1784, Nov 6, 2006
  15. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Ken San, arigato gozaimasu.

    My memory works in clips and phrases, concepts and abstracts. I know that drives people who have linear memories crazy. But that's why I usually speak in concepts but fail to recite the details driving them. I only wish I could find the article I pulled that from.
     
    #35 TonyPSchaefer, Nov 6, 2006
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Nov 6 2006, 01:49 AM) [snapback]344405[/snapback]</div>
    oh ok.. it's 7 hybrids, 2 commercial hybrids.
     
    #36 Tideland Prius, Nov 6, 2006
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