Gen 4 Prius Delayed Until Late 2015 | Plug-in Late 2016

Sorry TH, Insight II was a flop. And Prius C is a different sized car.

 

I believe the post of mine you quoted has the answer to your question.
Make the cars available to people.
There is very little to learn with the PiP.

You don't need lvl 2 charging.
It is the same form factor as the other Prius.
The controls inside are pretty dang close to the standard hatchback, aren't they? Perhaps the addition of a 'hold' button?

And, again, if they want to educate people, perhaps their Lexus division should stop spreading FUD?

 

Most hybrid sales are down for the year compared to last year. June 2014 Dashboard - HybridCars.com

Yet half the top 30 vehicles in US are up in sales. Look how many of those top 30 are trucks and SUV/CUVs

Top 30 Best-Selling Vehicles In America - June 2014 - GOOD CAR BAD CAR

Prius liftback is the best hope for hybrids. Too bad it's going to be a whole year before it is unveiled.

 

I haven't seen those. What is Lexus saying?

 

Sorry but I didn't want to post the May summary of the previous data. One month does not a credible trend make. Now that we have the June data, the trends are a little clearer:

My eyes see a distinct hit to the fuel-efficient market in September 2013 that the May numbers suggested were over. But the June numbers suggest we're seeing a slow recovery that started in March.

I am OK with this and attribute it to lower gas prices from new oil fields opened by fracking.

Bob Wilson

 

How can you even read that chart? Makes my eyes go bonkers

 

First 5 seconds of this:

They did pull it from the TV after people asked them if they were out of their minds. However I still see it on YouTube commercials.

 

Polarized sunglasses.

 

yesterday, as i pulled away from a red light just turned green, with another red light 100 yards ahead, six suv's passed me and were sitting at the next red light as i glided up to it. this mentality will not be fixed by $4./gallon gas.

 

I had been thinking about changing the format:

If you click on it, you'll see the full-size version. I will look at changing the data lines to help identify:

• ordinary hybrids - simple lines
• plug-in hybrids and EVs - simple lines with data point icons
• diesels - dashed lines with data point icons

I'll have to experiment with the data point icons and colors to make sure each group is easily identified. However, there is nothing to be done about the liftback/hatchback. It has to use a 2x scale to fit on the same graph. Otherwise, the lower sales models would disappear.

Bob Wilson

 

Amen, brother.

As a voice over this would make an excellent tv commercial.

 

oh, now i'm feeling MUCH better. not.

 

In my boat there's various reasons to be disappointed.

1. The 3rd gen Prius was released in 2009. A full 6 years inclusive is 2014, so it would've made sense the 2015 Prius was indeed the gen iv
2. I've had my Prius since year 2010, and we (as a family of 5) have one car, struggling through, trying to be patient enough for the Gen IV plugin (in hopes that we'd suck it up with two cars until the Gen IV V which could be a 8 seater maybe, or the tech would be mature enough to make it into a minivan of sorts)?
3. I followed Prius chat with all the design changes and what not and an expected unveiling or perhaps release in late 2014. Then it was 2015, now it's late 2015 and the PiP the following year?
4. Gen IV was "revealed" back in 2012 (radical new Prius!) and I'm sure they started on it right after the Gen III was released. It's almost been 3 years since that announcement
5. Gen IV test mule was released about 13-14 months ago. Usually more info came within that year, and speculation was hot on the 2015 MY Prius to be it.
6. Toyota had mentioned the TNGA and that the PiP was to be developer in parallel as to have a similar release date - now these articles are stating they're over a year apart? When they say "production in Oct 2016" does this mean 2017 year model? I must **laugh** at this strategy because it's terrible:
   1. Next Gen Leaf is around the corner - and there is a fine line of how the market crosses
   2. Next Gen Volt (with multiple options) is going to be out by the Gen IV **regular** apparently
   3. GM has announced a few exciting surprises that we'll have to wait and see
   4. We should have a great idea on the next gens hybrids from Ford (don't care what you say about lowered mpgs, they will do it right next time around, remember when the Prius Mpgs were inflated?)
   5. Next gen teslas will be out, and EVEN a cheaper consumer one (less than $60k - I'm thinking they'll release one around the same price as the Leaf)
7. Toyota was ahead big time when the Gen III was released, now they're only slightly ahead with market share falling - AND there are more options AND now they are releasing later than the other gens? **what?**
8. I was going to be patient and eager to get the PiP as our second car (4th gen base of course) - knowing it's far off makes me only patient for the other usual suspects - I'll probably lean closer to the volt!
9. I can only possibly "understand" or "forgive" Toyota if in fact the next gen will be the best and 60+ mpg.
10. I won't understand this strategy if they're still trying to hit 55 mpg considering they seemed so certain of it over 3 years ago
11. No matter what, (FCV or not) - I **don't** understand why the PiP would be released over a year later even in the delay? Parallel development?
12. I **doo** worry this TNGA may be bogging Toyota down and it could be delayed further.

 

heavily revised 2015 Camry and all new 2015 Fuel Cell car might be slowing down Prius development. They want the zero emission credits and they're trying to make Camry a bit more spunky to drive.

 

Huh?

Leaf is in an entirely different category than Prius. It has very littlebin common with hybrids.

 

Like most here, I'm ready for more information on, and the release of the Gen 4 Prius and Plug In. Although the projected release dates better fit my situation. I only hope the additional wait time results in a consensus "home run" new Prius generation.

 

Although the Prius in both the standard and PHEV forms are different vehicle categories than the all electric Leaf, those three groups of cars (hybrid, PHEV, and BEV) represent the choices that purchasers across the country will be considering when it's time to buy a new car. (I'm excluding the exotic FCHV choices that exist is limited markets). For some folks, moving from a traditional Prius (all the energy comes from gasoline) to the PIP (some of the energy comes from gas and some from a plug) is moving forward on the path to "kicking gas" (all of the energy comes from the plug, or solar panels, etc.).

One of the concerns raised by people who are considering an electric vehicle now is that (with the notable exception of Tesla) driving ranges before a required charge are thought to be too short. I suspect Inferno was suggesting that an improved next gen Leaf (and one could include other next gen PHEVs and BEVs that will be available when the next gen Prius and PIP show up), will capture a larger share of potential Prius and PIP purchasers who find their daily driving needs addressed by the ranges available in the next gen non-Toyota PHEVs and BEVs.

It looks like a real opportunity for "conquest sales", if other manufacturers are able to produce affordable all electric or PHEV vehicles with "adequate" all electric range and performance.

 

While that is true, the Prius is losing sales to the Leaf, as well as other plugins.
One of the biggest single advantages the Prius is defined by is its low use of gasoline. It was king of that category.
Now the Leaf has taken that title. The second gen Leaf will expand the number of people that can make the switch.

 

The current Leaf has no serious ability to visit nearby cities in Alabama. But the next version will have a one-day, one-way, nearest city capability: Nashville, Chattanooga, Birmingham, and the eastern and western borders.

Once in the remote city, the nearest RV park should have sufficient power to rest and get a return charge. The trip to the remote city is usually the time-critical segment to meet an appointment or airline schedule. The return to home is often not so schedule driven, allowing charging delays. Happily, the Leaf like all EVs, has one serious advantage.

Matching the engine to vehicle power requirements and regenerative braking are not trivial problems but pay rewards when done well. Even the various plug-in hybrids have performance characteristics from the engine and transmission that a driver can exploit. But that changes with an all EV where there are no engine and transmission variables.

In one respect, I'm looking forward to a 150 mile range Leaf to walk happily away from one part of the interesting Prius tuning puzzle.

Bob Wilson

 

It is said that the new leaf will have about 150 miles in range due to new battery tech and a modest style update. The Leaf is definitely taking a chunk out of Prii sales, in fact, I believe it's fair to say some Diesels do. Anyone who considers a Leaf, Volt, or even Tesla must have already heard or though about the Prius.