Toyota May Use Prius as Basis for Line of Hybrids

Don-RI · 11-02-2006, 09:24 AM

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...amp;refer=japan

Nov. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp., the world's top seller of gasoline-electric autos, may turn its Prius car into a line of vehicles as the company tries to triple annual U.S. sales of hybrids.

The U.S. will account for more than half of the 1 million hybrid cars and light trucks Toyota plans to sell worldwide each year by early next decade, Jim Lentz, executive vice president of the company's U.S. sales unit, said yesterday. Prius-based models might include a wagon and a smaller car, he said.

``For us to do 600,000, there will probably have to be Prius and derivatives of Prius that are selling in the neighborhood of 300,000 to 400,000,'' Lentz said in an interview at the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in Las Vegas. ``We don't have any plans to do that right now, but that's the direction that nameplate can go, because it is that strong.''

Full story: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...amp;refer=japan

eagle33199 · 11-02-2006, 09:29 AM

Thats a totally sweet idea - i could definitely see people going for alternative Prius designs... Myself, i just want one that can tow a boat (that way, i can actually go out and buy a boat :-p)

Infact, i could see myself potentially getting two down the line - say a nice little 2-seater Prius that gets amazing mileage and a Prius wagon that can haul stuff and tow a boat...

Delta Flyer · 11-02-2006, 09:42 AM

It's the way Japanese business typically works - make sure a product has been proven before introducing or expanding it.

qbee42 · 11-02-2006, 10:58 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Nov 2 2006, 10:42 AM) [snapback]342489[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

It's the way Japanese business typically works - make sure a product has been proven before introducing or expanding it.
[/b]

That's a silly idea. It's better to take a half-baked concept, make it look pretty, then push it out in huge volume. You can work out all of those little problems and safety issues as you go along. <_<

Tom

Delta Flyer · 11-02-2006, 11:08 AM

.....and do you work for GM or Ford?

**Tideland Prius** · 11-02-2006, 11:21 AM

haha.. great..

so we now have

Prius, Prius Plus (crossover?), Prius Grande (mpv?), Prius Roadster, City Prius (smart car like), Prius GT

tds · 11-02-2006, 01:32 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Nov 2 2006, 06:29 AM) [snapback]342483[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Thats a totally sweet idea - i could definitely see people going for alternative Prius designs... Myself, i just want one that can tow a boat (that way, i can actually go out and buy a boat :-p)

Infact, i could see myself potentially getting two down the line - say a nice little 2-seater Prius that gets amazing mileage and a Prius wagon that can haul stuff and tow a boat...
[/b]

Isn't it called Highlander Hybrid?

TimBikes · 11-02-2006, 04:19 PM

Just come out with a hybrid minivan for god sakes, you friggin nitwits at Toyota!

San_Carlos_Jeff · 11-02-2006, 05:05 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TimBikes @ Nov 2 2006, 03:19 PM) [snapback]342801[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Just come out with a hybrid minivan for god sakes, you friggin nitwits at Toyota! [/b]

Amen bro. A nice looking van the size of a Mazda 5, or just a hair bigger would be perfect for my family.

Pinto Girl · 11-02-2006, 06:32 PM

I hate to rain on the parade, but I suspect (and I admit up front that I have absolutely nothing to substantiate what I'm about to write) that the real purpose of the Prius is to be the 'halo' vehicle under which the HSD and Toyota hybrid technology falls.

They're already doing it with those little HSD badges that are being applied to other Toyota hybrids, too.

Then, as this current tech becomes more mainstream, the next gen Prius can be used to introduce the next leap forward.

But, as I said, consider the source.

11-02-2006, 09:24 AM	#1
Don-RI Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cumberland, RI Posts: 130 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...amp;refer=japan Nov. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp., the world's top seller of gasoline-electric autos, may turn its Prius car into a line of vehicles as the company tries to triple annual U.S. sales of hybrids. The U.S. will account for more than half of the 1 million hybrid cars and light trucks Toyota plans to sell worldwide each year by early next decade, Jim Lentz, executive vice president of the company's U.S. sales unit, said yesterday. Prius-based models might include a wagon and a smaller car, he said. ``For us to do 600,000, there will probably have to be Prius and derivatives of Prius that are selling in the neighborhood of 300,000 to 400,000,'' Lentz said in an interview at the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in Las Vegas. ``We don't have any plans to do that right now, but that's the direction that nameplate can go, because it is that strong.'' Full story: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...amp;refer=japan __________________ "Sparkly Red Prius" 2004 Salsa Red Pearl BC9, with BT Tech Chassis Stiffening Plate, Coastaletech NAV/Bluetooth Enhancement, Coastaletech Frontend Mask, HeatShield SunShade, HybridCenter Earth Day Challenge, Michelin HydroEdge tires (42/40), OEM Splash Guards, Thule Roof Mount Bike Rack

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11-02-2006, 09:29 AM	#2
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,600 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thats a totally sweet idea - i could definitely see people going for alternative Prius designs... Myself, i just want one that can tow a boat (that way, i can actually go out and buy a boat :-p) Infact, i could see myself potentially getting two down the line - say a nice little 2-seater Prius that gets amazing mileage and a Prius wagon that can haul stuff and tow a boat...

11-02-2006, 09:42 AM	#3
Delta Flyer Honda Enzyte Driver Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lewisville, TX (Dallas area) Posts: 1,008 My Car: Other Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	It's the way Japanese business typically works - make sure a product has been proven before introducing or expanding it.

11-02-2006, 11:08 AM	#5
Delta Flyer Honda Enzyte Driver Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lewisville, TX (Dallas area) Posts: 1,008 My Car: Other Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	.....and do you work for GM or Ford?

11-02-2006, 11:21 AM	#6
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,765 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	haha.. great.. so we now have Prius, Prius Plus (crossover?), Prius Grande (mpv?), Prius Roadster, City Prius (smart car like), Prius GT

11-02-2006, 04:19 PM	#8
TimBikes Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: WA Posts: 1,287 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Just come out with a hybrid minivan for god sakes, you friggin nitwits at Toyota!

11-02-2006, 06:32 PM	#10
Pinto Girl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,372 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I hate to rain on the parade, but I suspect (and I admit up front that I have absolutely nothing to substantiate what I'm about to write) that the real purpose of the Prius is to be the 'halo' vehicle under which the HSD and Toyota hybrid technology falls. They're already doing it with those little HSD badges that are being applied to other Toyota hybrids, too. Then, as this current tech becomes more mainstream, the next gen Prius can be used to introduce the next leap forward. But, as I said, consider the source.