Featured Can Toyota Save the Prius

Not sure if I've ever met anyone that once they had a plug in ever went to a non-plug in. Other than maybe someone that has a life change come up that dictates the change.

 

probably the pip owners in cali who wanted hov stickers and never plugged in

 

true...was meaning people that actually use the function

 

When you're putting in about 20 liters a month, it becomes a moot point? Even at a $1.45 (CDN) it's trivial, eclipsed by our $#*!! internet connection bill.

 

that's the whole problem for those that think gas price doesn't matter

 

Your electricity cost rivals gas, in Boston?

That's ok though, still good for the (battered) environment.

 

I plan to go back to non-plug in (most likely hybrid Rav4, but could be other gasoline or diesel SUV if the price is better on that option) for our next car unless Toyota or other car company introduce affordable plug-in AWD SUV with good fuel efficiency very soon.

 

at least not until the Matrix goes live.

.

 

It's not already?

 

Or the opposite: I'd like a simple, stripped-down, easy and cheap to repair car with old-school, ergonomic climate controls, headlights that don't set you back a grand apiece, and simple bumpers, that can take a bump.

Don't give a rats-arse about entune or carplay (don't even know what they are), can live without heads-up display, steering wheel buttons, radar cruise, lane departure, all the rest of the cr@p you keep shovelling in to wow the newbies.

Ranting, ranting

 

You forgot "Get off my lawn!"

 

Hah!

 

And turn the hose on them!

 

I want Toyota to build a mass produce electric car. That’s where the future is. Hybrids are just a stop gap. And this Toyota electric car will follow the same practical, reliable, boring ride as other Toyota’s. It’ll be the sensible electric car that’s priced around 25k without incentives. Come on Toyota! Like a Camry electric or something.

 

But think of the dealers! That takes away their profitable service “golden cow”.

 

Not as much as you might think. If there is an "engine" problem and still in warranty-sure that's money lost. But it's not very common for people come to a dealer for engine work after that warranty expires. Does it happen? Yes, but not as much as one may think. If you speak to a tech, they'll tell you they spend more time tracking down electrical shorts, bad sensors or performing recalls than they do working on an engine. Not many like doing transmission work, which is why transmission techs make mint. But there were several months a year that our dealership made more money off Toyota than they did the public. (recalls/warranty work)

Most techs usually "specialize" in what they do though. If the ICE ever does go away, rest assured there will still be plenty of work left to do.

 

Another possibility, just something to entertain: we all get out of our cars. Or at the least, a much larger percentage.

 

a $25,000. electric camry without incentives ain't happening. unless it only has 10 mile range

 

I agree. Even Tesla, who by far has the biggest advantage in cheap battery production, still can't make a $35k car, with 220 miles of range, profitably.