2010 Prius Models and Option Packages

Of course if you like the old style, those should very easy to get or trade for.

 

I understand you pay more in Europe, and I also think that even the extras/upgrades found on the European models do not account for the price differential.

Even so, the German price includes VAT, no? The American prices are all pre-tax and pre-delivery and pre-doc fees, etc.

All of these things together still do not account for the difference in price, but they do narrow the gap a bit.

 

I didn't think the brakes ever got hot?
After a 100K miles there is practically no wear since regen usually is the primary method the car is slowed when brakes are applied.

 

No room for video?!? I have one I wanted to share with Prius fans!

 

Yes, I was wondering about this quote myself Rusty, I did see that the battery compartment was designed to change battery types. You said:

So, will the Lithium Ion plug-in package be available??

"And here’s an interesting tidbit for you: During its development, the new 2010 Prius was designed and engineered to package either the lithium-ion battery pack with plug-in capability, or the nickel-metal hydride battery for the conventional gas-electric system."

I'm sorry to see that my fav color, Silver Pine Mica, is gone for 2010! Why did they have to drop THAT color??

 

You aren't alone on that complaint/question. Unfortunately, you and I are among a very small group who really liked that color -- so it is gone!

My attempt at a replacement has been the Blue Ribbon Metallic. It is hardly the same, and it is a bit bright and dark for me (I just don't wash a car every day!). Still, it IS a color.

 

Hello. I need a new car and decided on a Prius. My parents have two and they love them. I'm disappointed that I can't get the Solar Roof package and the Advanced Technology package all on one car. I've written to Toyota and suggested that they offer both in the future. From what I'm reading, other people want that option as well.

I don't know how to choose between the two packages. I don't have any trouble keeping in my own lane, and I'm very good a parallel parking on my own, but the pre-collision system sounds wonderful.

The solar package sounds great, too, especially the ability to turn on the air conditioning before I get in the car.

I think I can get another year out of my current car. Do you think it's possible that Toyota will offer both packages on one car in 2011? If so, I might put off my purchase for another year. Also, do you think the lithium ion/plug-in feature will be available in another year if I wait?

 

I apologize if this has been posted elsewhere, but I received two thoughtful responses from Toyota concerning the Lithium Ion/Plug-in batteries, and the ability to get the Solar package on the Prius V.

Response to Lithium batteries:

"We appreciate your interest and your email about the lithium-ion battery and plug-in hybrids. We share your enthusiasm for this advanced technology and are working hard to develop reasonable alternative fuel vehicles.

According to the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) website, TMC and the Matsushita Group are currently investigating the feasibility of mass production of lithium-ion batteries at the Omori Plant in central Japan of their joint-venture company, Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. is the sales arm of TMC, so we do not have further information about the lithium-ion battery production.

The program we recently announced will provide Toyota plug-in hybrid prototypes to the Advanced Power and Energy Program at the University of California Irvine (UCI) and the Institution of Transportation Studies at the University of California Berkeley (UCB) as part of a sustained mobility program with the two campuses.

Our prototype program is in the early stages. Currently there are no public testing programs or waiting lists. This may change in the future but there are no announced plans to offer plug-in hybrid vehicles for testing by the public. Please visit our website to join the Hybrid community and receive updates about our hybrid programs as they occur."

Again, thank you for your interest!

Response to the Solar Package on the Prius V:

"Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We appreciate your interest in the 2010 Prius and we are sorry to hear that we do not offer the vehicle of choice with the options you want.

The decision to introduce any specific accessories or features on a Toyota vehicle is made during the design process based on cost and the perceived needs of the consumer of that class of vehicle and we apologize that this specific option combination is not available for the 2010 Prius.

We apologize; we do not currently have any announced plans to offer both Advanced Technology Package and Solar Roof Package available on the Prius V.

We appreciate your feedback because the only way we know what our customers are looking for is when they tell us, as you have. We try to scope our customers out in advance, by researching the market, conducting interviews, surveys, focus groups and doing our homework, but there's no better source than a Toyota owner or intender who takes the time to tell us like it is.

We can't guarantee that a change would be made, but if it were, it would be driven by just this sort of honest communication.

Again, please accept our apologies for your disappointment, and our sincere thanks for taking the time and trouble to let us know.

We thank you for your enthusiasm about our products and hope that you will continue to consider Toyota for your driving needs."


I was impressed that they responded within a few hours of my question and seem genuinely concerned about what consumers want.

 

Thanks for posting these emails.
What address did you send your questions to?
I'd like to ask about Safety Connect since that link doesn't work on the "Build" page.