Ho-Hum For Hybrids

[Rancid13]

Ho-hum for hybrids

The eye-catching Prius is a runaway hit, but other hybrid models haven't caught on.

The Hybrid Dilemma
Despite the runaway success of the Toyota Prius, hybrid sales are still lagging.

By Jerry Flint


2007 Toyota PriusToyota Motor's Hybrid Prius is a big success. In June, the company sold 17,756 of these cars, bringing sales to 94,503 units for the first half of the year.

The Prius is a winner; but that's not the case for Toyota's other hybrids. Prius accounts for two-thirds of Toyota's sales volume in hybrids, even though the company makes five other hybrid vehicles, three of which it sells under its luxury Lexus brand.


Full Article

[Pinto Girl]

That article categorizes the Prius as a "small car, similar in size to the Corolla."

That's not correct, is it? Actually, the Prius is classified as a medium size car.

The moral: don't convert existing vehicles to hybrids. Purpose built designs work better and can be tailored to more closely suit the hybrid market.

As for the Insight, I think it could be argued that Honda has *never* fully supported hybrid technology, either from an engineering or marketing standpoint. The car simply was not adequately supported by its manufacturer, and might also be a bit too small to appeal to a broad market (two seat cars are notorious for low production numbers).

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jul 20 2007, 04:06 PM) [snapback]482406[/snapback]</div>

As for the Insight, I think it could be argued that Honda has *never* fully supported hybrid technology, either from an engineering or marketing standpoint. The car simply was not adequately supported by its manufacturer, and might also be a bit too small to appeal to a broad market (two seat cars are notorious for low production numbers).
[/b]

I liked the Insight, but then I used to drive a Honda CRX. The Insight was more a light weight, super small, highly efficient normal car that used a bit of hybrid technology to help it do better. The hybrid technology on the Insight wasn't even close to that of the Prius.

Tom

[MegansPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rancid13 @ Jul 20 2007, 02:43 PM) [snapback]482386[/snapback]</div>

Ho-hum for hybrids

The eye-catching Prius is a runaway hit, but other hybrid models haven't caught on.

The Hybrid Dilemma
Despite the runaway success of the Toyota Prius, hybrid sales are still lagging.

By Jerry Flint
2007 Toyota PriusToyota Motor's Hybrid Prius is a big success. In June, the company sold 17,756 of these cars, bringing sales to 94,503 units for the first half of the year.

The Prius is a winner; but that's not the case for Toyota's other hybrids. Prius accounts for two-thirds of Toyota's sales volume in hybrids, even though the company makes five other hybrid vehicles, three of which it sells under its luxury Lexus brand.
Full Article
[/b]

Sorta depends what news source you use as to what spin you get, i.e.:

Toyota Hybrid Sales Accelerate
Sales of Toyota Prius and Camry hybrids reached record levels in March as the technology has broken out of the "early adopter" niche and gone mainstream...Consumers, however, seem to have spoken with regard to the hybrids Toyota does offer. In 2006, the company accounted for two-thirds of all hybrid sales, and for this year Toyota predicts that its total hybrid sales will top 250,000 units. "Today, Prius outsells Mustang, while the combined sales of Toyota's three hybrid models (Prius, Camry and Highlander) are outselling the entire Volkswagen brand," Carter crowed.

Flint also calls the Prius a small car, whereas I would call it mid-sized. And the fact that expensive Lexus hybrids sell fewer numbers doesn't strike me as "news" so much as "duh."

[catgic]

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[Rancid13]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jul 20 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]482406[/snapback]</div>

That article categorizes the Prius as a "small car, similar in size to the Corolla."

That's not correct, is it? Actually, the Prius is classified as a medium size car.


[/b]

That is true. Everyone keeps comparing the Prius (at least, for pricing's sake) to the Corolla, when in fact they should be comparing it to the more similarly sized (and priced) Camry. I was ranting to my boss this morning that the Prius is not a compact car, so why are they still comparing it to one? It irks me to no end.

DISCLAIMER: I'm just posting the link for the article. I don't necessarily agree with what has been written.

[tripp]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rancid13 @ Jul 20 2007, 04:45 PM) [snapback]482499[/snapback]</div>

That is true. Everyone keeps comparing the Prius (at least, for pricing's sake) to the Corolla, when in fact they should be comparing it to the more similarly sized (and priced) Camry. I was ranting to my boss this morning that the Prius is not a compact car, so why are they still comparing it to one? It irks me to no end.
[/b]

.
It allows them to make negative comparisons of price and the dubious ROI (since when has there ever been an article warning consumers about the pay back time of leather seats???). If they compared the Prius to the Camry, then the numbers wouldn't work in their favour.

[Pinto Girl]

I think we're discovering that 'hybrid' isn't something that folks want to hide under a conventionally-bodied car.

It's such a smartly-engineered system. Frankly, if it's simply placed underneath most ordinary cars, it makes the rest of the car seem pretty imprudent.

[C.RICKEY HIROSE]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(catgic @ Jul 20 2007, 05:01 PM) [snapback]482477[/snapback]</div>

Rancid13 --- There are a number of reasons why the Prius Hybrid is a winner and a runaway hit, whereas, the other hybrid models have not caught on.

On the top of the list of reasons why the sales of Prii are soaring, besides the “stellar” 51/55/60 EPA numbers it can deliver, is its Toyota Hybrid Synergy Design (HSD). The Toyota HSD is an elegant, well engineered gas-electric drive. It is well integrated and smoothly controlled. Clearly, back in the 1990s, Toyota “kicked the suits out of the room” and turned their best engineers and designers loose to let them run with applying state-of-the-art and leading-edge technology to produce a production-ready hybrid car…and POOF! GEN I HAPPENED.

GEN I evolved into today’s Mo’ Betta GEN II. An even more evolved GEN III with Lithium-Ion batteries, and more improvements and features is on the ways. The GEN III Prius is slated to be ready for launch in mid to late 2009, or U.S. Model Year 2010. I plan to roll my present 2007 Prius into the GEN III, whenever it comes out.

The First Generation delivered EPA 45 Highway/52 City. The Second Generation delivered EPA 51 Highway/60 City. The Third Generation promises upwards of EPA 71 Highway/83 City.

The distinctive shape of the GEN II was a result of implementing a low Coefficient of Drag (Cd = 0.26) body design, and was implemented and delivered with a mid-size cabin volume. The cockpit and passenger volume has generous amounts of leg room, hip room and, especially, head room, because of its aerodynamic design that caused the roof line to curve in a high arc. When most Prius owners wash the middle of their GEN II Prius roof, they have to stretch a bit.

The versatile hatchback design lends itself to hauling “stuff”: Kids soccer equipment, Skis, Golf Clubs, 50” Plasma HDTVs, Bags of Fertilizer, Flats of Garden Plants, Groceries, Luggage, Surf Boards, Lumber…and much more. The Prius design is family, active adult and senior citizen friendly. What better market can you have for an upscale priced product then families, active adults and senior citizens. ¢ha-¢hing! ¢ha-¢hing!

The Prius design is so balanced, versatile, “on the money” and in the marketing “sweet spot,” that it is competing with and out selling its own, five other “in-house” hybrids vehicles like the Highlander, Camry and LS/GX/RX Lexus, which deliver much less mpg fuel economy compared to the Prius.

I just hope Toyota does not kill the “Golden Goose,” or should that be “Green Veggies,” by loading it down with non-fuel economy enhancing options that detract from its High MPG FE characteristics while raising the acquisition price to increase profitability. I have seen other automobile companies do this to “good cars,” everyone wanted and turn them into “bad cars” no one wanted.
[/b]

catgic ,

I like it, Your statement is _Perfect_ you should be working for Toyota.

[Tideland Prius]

Why did the Prius succeed? Here are my opinions


- smooth hybrid operation

There were little jerks in its operation. The PSD provides a smooth power delivery and it's a hybrid-only model


- Interior design

It's a fresh approach from the HUD-like instrument panel, the standard 7" MFD with the hybrid system monitors, cool SKS and push button start and electronic joystick shifter.

- Versatility

The hatchback design attracted people to something they've shied away before. It had almost fold-flat rear seats, under-floor storage and tons of other cubby holes/drawers in the interior.

- Space

Given its compact dimensions, it fits perfectly in the city with other compact cars. It's easier to park (although the short hood and split window makes it harder... if that makes sense) yet it's large enough inside to provide a sense of space.

- Fuel efficiency

Despite getting an earful about its fuel efficiency, it's still better than most cars out there even if you're not trying to maximise mileage

- Gadgets

It appeals to the gadget geeks. In addition to HSD, there's the SKS, bluetooth, navigation, backup camera (later models) and of course the LCD screen.


- Safety

It has a full range of standard and optional safety equipment. ABS w/EBD, TRAC and Brake Assist are standard. Side/side curtains and VSC were optional (now standard for 2007 in the US)