I'm visiting Toyota Motor Corp next week

You could ask them to update the status on lithium ion batteries and plug-in recharging in Prius.

You could suggest that the US market is impatiently waiting for a hybrid minivan.

 

you could always get a PRIUS here in NEW YORK state , plenty available here .

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(siliconhybrid @ May 25 2007, 09:51 PM) [snapback]450166[/snapback]</div>

Eat at McDonald's in Tokyo and show us some pics! Oh, and while you're there, nudge them and say that we're eagerly awaiting not only a hybrid minivan, but a hybrid light-duty truck as well.

Most of the people I met when I was in Japan were very courteous, and quite pleasant to talk to. Something else that caught me offguard was the number of locals that knew how to speak even a little English.

Anything else I'm forgetting....? Oh yeah, have fun! Japan is an absolute blast to run around in. Take some pictures and let us know how it was!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ozyran @ May 26 2007, 12:15 PM) [snapback]450448[/snapback]</div>

Are they working on or planning to make a Pick-up? I would buy one in a heartbeat. How about 4x4?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ May 26 2007, 09:56 AM) [snapback]450388[/snapback]</div>

You can suggest that U.S. buyers would like to buy some of the same options as the Japanese like the side signal mirrors.

 

anyone else thinking an all wheel drive prius?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(siliconhybrid @ May 25 2007, 07:51 PM) [snapback]450166[/snapback]</div>

Have a great time on your trip ! Tell them we want better traction control so we don't have to worry about snow, or mountains...!
All the best, pola

 

Ask them if they are going to make a better bracing plate for the bottom-rear of the Prius to correct the cross-wind instability everybody reports.

Or, you can ask them if they make available for exportable parts (meaning cheaper for the USA) for the Prius that we can buy such as:
adjustable height driver's seat
signal mirror housing
sport suspension shocks

and all the nice accessories that seem to be available only for the Japanese Domestic Market.

Don't forget to hit Roppongi, Asakusa, Odaiba, Disney Sea, and such if you're going to be in the Tokyo area.

 

They may not be able to answer most of the questions posed here. I've been on the Tsutsumi plant tour and to Toyota Kaikan Exhibition Hall (http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/about_toyota/facility/toyota_kaikan/) well before I owned a Prius. I did see the current gen Prius being produced there along w/the Camry, I think the Lexus ES along w/ some other vehicles that don't exist in the US.

Although my guides explained everything pretty well, they were both younger women and didn't seem like car enthusiast, the engineer or marketing/product planning type.

Many companies have to be very careful as well about what future product plans. It's a bad idea to spill the beans unless it's a well coordinated announcement driven by marketing, product planning, etc. Having been in the software business for over 10 years, I know all about this...