Toyota missed the mark for North America

congrats on your new gen 4!

there's already a thread on what toyota was thinking, regarding the prime. i won't lay it all out for you, but if you can slog through the 1,000+ posts, you'll understand that they weren't thinking about you or me, and they weren't thinking about the near future.

all the best!

 

Considering that you still purchased another Toyota product. I think Toyota did just fine. If you really thought the Volt was the superior product, you would've purchased it. I don't know what Toyota was thinking but they earned my business with an 11 mile range PiP. I don't think people will have as much of an issue with a 4 seater and 22 EV miles versus my gen 1 PiP wit much shorter range and sold only in a handful of states. It's better in some areas and worse in others. It won't be perfect for everyone.

 

maybe. i'll take a proven winner, talk to me in ten years.

 

Well, according to this article, the Ioniq has over 122 cu ft of interior space 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Makes North American Debut In Hybrid, PHEV And EV Flavors That would make it a full size.

 

After graduating from college, my first job was working for a major automobile manufacturer. Corporations conduct significant research and analyze the economic reasoning behind every engineering/design decision.

Maybe Toyota prefers that customers purchase a Gen 4 over a Prime?

 

Yes Toyota has basically been slow on plug-ins, saying it is less profitable at the current time. The implication though is that is also less profitable for the other autos (GM, etc) and yet the others are taking a more pro-active role trying to advance plug-in offerings perhaps at the expense of immediate profits. However, I am personally more aligned with Toyota approach on it.

 

Looks quite identical to Prius volume specs including the 27 ft3 cargo by EPA ...a little more total ft3...

 

the discussion as to what Toyota did right or wrong is very interesting... lifestyles dictate what works for most people
currently own a 2012 PIP....was holding out for the second gen plug-in but since we are a two car family opted for a pre -owned low mileage 2013 Nissan Leaf.... Volt was too small for us along with two 75 lb dogs... the Leaf will be a bridge to a much longer range EV likely in 3 or 4 years. Since Newfoundland Winters average 25 F ( -5C) and summers average 72F ( 22 C) the battery should do fine.
now I need to find a home for our 2000 Honda Insight....

 

Toyota appears to be extremely well positioned to deal with the upcoming range shift. 200-mile EV offerings will leave a void at the low-end that automakers will be eager to fill with plug-in hybrids.

 

and don't forget the middle of the road buyers who are soon to be enlightened by the strategic positioning of previously unknown quantities.

 

IonIQ is interesting ...I must go back and read those threads, now that I know what Prime will probably look like. EPA Cargo spec of IonIQ PHEV is interesting, but we don't have the number yet for Prime. I wanna see IonIQ EU VDA cargo space specs before I say too much. Since they are both liftbacks, EPA seems to allow a "gray zone" which gives mfgs ability to split space between front/back with some freedom. I think Volt tries to claim low cargo space so they can have greater quote for living space. Others with plenty of space seem to be trying to claim more cargo space if they aren't worried about buyers critiquing "living space" specs (if its roomy who cares?).

 

When both cars are released, I will test drive both. Ioniq looks good on paper. We'll see how it does IRL.

 

Wise counsel, but I am going to add the Tesla 3 to my 'wait and test drive' list. From all I have read, all three are somewhat in the same price range (I acknowledge the Tesla is an EV) ..... but that might work in my situation. The Ioniq will sell an EV, but Prius will not, so there are some 'apples and oranges' issues to consider. At this point in time, my mind is completely open to all three. Just waiting.

 

i'm also going to drive the 200 mile chevy and leaf.

 

I'd love to consider a domestic vehicle, but I am spoiled by the reliability of Toyota vehicles. Yes, there is a Korean vehicle on my short list as well as an American, but to be specific, I will not consider a GM product. The reasons are numerous, but just yesterday, my son got a $3500 bill to repair his late model (high milage) GMC. Repairs that are not covered by warranty.

I have owned Toyota products for 25 years, and never spent a dime on repairs and have only paid for oil changes and tires. When I traded my 2010 Prius with 130,000 miles, I got the top figure on NADA's price book. They are hard to beat.