I think I just saw the Gen 4 Prius (in stealth)

GM thrives on publicity. There have been a few notable occasions that have resulted in setting of expectations too high... hence the "over promise, under deliver" reputation.

Toyota chooses to simply wait. That quiet is their norm. It ends up being a "wait you see is what you get" delivery.

Building up anticipation can be good, but it can also backfire due to hype.

Making people wait can be rewarding, but it can backfire due to impatience.

The mixed messages from annoucing early is too much of a risk. I prefer the wait. Risk of disenchantment has consequences.

 

plenty of built up anticipation here.

 

I anticipated that Toyota's philosophy of silence would arise. If you examine car magazines, you will find features about other 2016 Toyota and Lexus models. But let's wait and see. Time will tell. I'm thinking the G4 is just not ready yet for "the big show." And IF it is not ready, then do not reveal features that are still being developed, although, it is getting way late to still be making major decisions.

I would suspect that the design team should be working on the 2017 model year by this time, although I doubt there will be much changed from the 2016. The four pictures of the G3 design evolution (previously posted) was interesting. But we did not see the evolution until after the fact.

 

Good things do come to those who wait, scientists say - Telegraph

I like waiting! I am now waiting for Gen II PIP or Prius Prime!

 

me too!

 

They may as well take all the time necessary. I want that wireless ev charging option.

 

Don't look to GM for what Toyota is going to or should be doing. like USB said, look at Toyota's history with the 3rd gen Prius. It was ....

* officially revealed in middle of January 2009
* there was a very revealing video in Dec. 2008 Toyota allowed to leak featuring full views of the car outside and inside with Jazz music and Blue Man Group inside.

* I heard before that, maybe November 2008, there was a half dozen or so photos of small parts of the car, that's it.

* Before that, I do not believe there were ANY actual photos of the 3rd gen Prius, nothing. I don't recall spy shots with black camouglage. There were artists renditions and such in Summer of 2008.

This is just the way Toyota rolls with this model of car.

Jim Lentz said he has driven the new Prius. What are the chances he is bluffing? About zero. Corporate execs don't say 'yeah, I drove the new model car' then later say 'Hah, i was just kidding, I never drove it'.

You are just frustrated over the long wait. It is a VERY long wait this time around

Just wanted to say that I expect to still be looking for another car when the 4th gen comes out. I expect to check it out and find it too small and uncomfortable, but if it happens to miraculously be more comfortable for a tall guy like me, then, great. But, i seriously doubt it (or any alternative fueled car) will work in the near future. I'm not willing to put up with the large sacrifices required by alternative fueled vehicles at this point: Hybrids - Prius, c - small, downscale, uncomfortable, v - unappealing, PiP, same as Prius but more expensive, HyCam - uncomfortable, Avalon Hybrid - ergonomics do not work for me, HiHy - too expensive, CT - too small, expensive, ES hybrid - too expensive, Sonata, Optima, Accord, Fusion hybrids -small trunks, all other hybrids, worse. PHEVs - Volt - small, expensive, Energis - very small trunks, EVs - Model S - far too expensive, Leaf - weird looking and hideous driver's seat, i3 - expensive and weird looking, Focus EV, expensive and very small trunk, eGolf - probably pretty cool to drive but expensive and VW ownership risky, SmartEV - r u kidding?, Fiat EV - same as Smart, iMiEV - you could give me this car, then I sell it immediately. So, that's my take and I am not so surprised why consumers only buy 4 or 5% alternative vehicles altogether.

 

I have no thought that the manufacturer owes me anything. I just think it is good marketing. I feel that every-time you can get the public talking about a product, and looking forward with anticipation, it is good business philosophy. In the absence of that, even the "faithful" start looking and thinking about the competition. How many writers on this thread have mentioned going elsewhere because of some feature they like on a competetor.

A car purchase is a major investment. Most of us plan ahead, decide if we are going to put new tires on the old car, or make needed repairs. Then you read something about the new model, and you make the decision about what to do.

On the other hand, I wish politicians would keep quiet until about a month before the election.

 

A lot of PCers have gone elsewhere because Toyota has backed off EVs and joined the FCEV camp with Mirai coming out.

btw, did you see and weigh in on civic06 post that the gen 4 Prius will be unveiled at Frankfurt auto show in September (this year)?

 

Toyota backed away from Lithium BEVs (except PHEV). They are still working on solid state BEVs.

 

we have definitely lost some people to bev's, other hybrids and plug ins. that's the natural state of things. may the best car win!

 

I wasn't sure what a BEV is. I researched it, and now I know.
I find it hard to imagine that Toyota, with the enormous time, effort and research it has put into hybrids, Including hydrogen hybrids, would ever go BEV. Just an opinion.

bisco - I think you would agree .... It tis far better to keep your loyal customers, than to loose customers, or convert new ones from other brands.

I have no idea how many Prius owners are registered on Prius Chat. I would guess that most of us are interested in the Prius; enjoy reading about developments, and quite possibly plan to replace their current Prius with a newer one at some time in the future. That is why I feel it would be good business sense for Toyota to keep "their base" involved, interested, and planning for the future. I rest my case.

 

i agree with your business theory, but after 30 years in business, and numerous 'experts' telling me exactly what you just said, i have found that most people prefer to go after new customers, at the expense of their current ones. not intentionally, but, it must be a human nature thing.

the 80/20 rule, in this case, says you will spend $80. going after a new customer, compared to $20. to keep an existing. and yet, most prefer to spend the $80.

 

I cannot disagree with you. I was only referring to what seems like common sense. Maybe that is why our economy is so screwed up? Thanks.

 

one of many reasons. we're human, prone to mistakes. at least i am.

 

Yep, just ask my wife.

 

Hmmm I'm not really anticipating anything. I'm far more interested in what everybody at PC put on wish lists. I think we're a pretty innovative group of people. Too bad I don't have the time or energy to make a table of wish list items and check off the ones that came true when Toyota does make the announcement. I think its kind of cool to know Toyota actually used an idea of yours, even if 40 other people thought of it as well.