The Toyota Hybrid Timeline; 4 New Toyota Hybrids coming in 2009 & 2010

[miscrms]

Originally Posted by Yak18

Are you certain you need a Van? We found our van was almost always driving around with only 3-4 seats filled. The only time we needed 7 seats was on the weekends or a vacation trip. Thinking outside the box, we bought two Prius' and when we all need to go to the same place at the same time we take two cars...that gives us 10 seats and 2 cargo areas. Combined MPGs for two Prius making the same trip is 25 MPG...that's 6 MPG better than our van. It sounds crazy, but spending 7K a year on gas was getting ridiculus. Not looking back on the van!

Thats very true. I think there is a cross over area there though. Something the size of the Mazda 5 with 3 rows & seating for 6 but with mileage in the low to mid 30s would be a pretty nice fit for a lot of 2-4 child families. Maybe not as good as cramming everyone into one Prius, but better mileage than the HiHy for similar space, and more space/seats than the Camry Hybrid with similar mileage.

For us with two small kids the Prius works fine. Could get crowded as they get bigger or if we have another one though.

Rob

[miscrms]

Originally Posted by efusco

While GM's screaming their first step from the mountain tops with the Volt, I have just had this inkling that Toyota's got an entire program outlined that will eventually lead to the phase out of almost all conventional vehicles in their fleet and, again, leave GM in the dust.
That's not a bash on the Volt...I'd love to hear of something similar from Toyota, but I think it's the big picture that's the difference.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. A lot of manufacturers are starting to make noise about their "Prius killers" coming out in the 2009-2010 time frame. Of course, the Prius is 6 years old in its current form, and much of its design is 10-15 years old at this point. To assume that Toyota has been sitting on its thumbs for the past 6-15 years is probably a huge mistake. They have no reason to show their hand and go blabbing around about what they have planned, since they are way out in front of everyone. Since GM doesn't have a hand, they are bluffing as loud as they can in hopes they draw a winner.

Also not a slam on GM or anybody else, just the reality that a 10 year head start is a huge advantage for Toyota. If they fail to capitalize on that I will be shocked.

Rob

[hiremichaelreid]

Originally Posted by miscrms

To assume that Toyota has been sitting on its thumbs for the past 6-15 years is probably a huge mistake.
Rob

If they are smart, "They" don't assume that; they just want the public to assume that.

In some other thread here Toyota is working on battery technology they expect to sell sometime around 2030. (or 2020 ? 2030 seems almost unreal.)


IMO, all the talk of "Prius killers mean they are very afraid the Prius is killing or will kill them. Just like all the "iPhone killers" and "MS Windows killers"...

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by Danny

There have been a couple of threads posted citing different news sources today, so I thought that I would try to bring them together and make sense of all of the information released today.

According to Motortrend and my other sources, this is the future timeline of Toyota hybrid technology:

• August 2008: 2009 Prius will come off the line, with no changes from the 2008 MY.

• January 2009, Detroit Auto Show: The next generation Prius will be revealed to the world, along with the Lexus Prius and a brand new member of the Prius family (see above ).

• April 2009: The 3rd Generation 2010 Prius will be released for sale worldwide.

• Fall 2009: The Lexus Prius will be released with a body style similar to the 2010 Prius, but with added Lexus-style amenities (auto-park finally coming to the US?). Also, the Prius' Big Brother, which I'm going to codename "Chen", will be released.

• 2010: Lithium-Ion batteries finally make their way into a Toyota Hybrid, but it won't be the Prius. It will be another separate hybrid, I'll codename this one the "Jolt", this time a plug-in to compete with the Volt. Right now it looks like this Plug-In will be available in a lease-only scenario, and probably only available to government/corporations.

• 2012ish?: This is perhaps the earliest that we will see any other Toyota hybrid or member of the ever-growing Prius family outfitted with Lithium Ion batteries. Perhaps at this point the plug-in member of the Prius family will be available for public purchase.

• 2016?: The 4th Generation Prius will be outfitted with metal-air batteries, the next step beyond Lithium Ion.

wow... a dilemma eh? Get the new Prius or wait for the Li-Ion one.

[AndyMartin826]

Originally Posted by miscrms

Thats very true. I think there is a cross over area there though. Something the size of the Mazda 5 with 3 rows & seating for 6 but with mileage in the low to mid 30s would be a pretty nice fit for a lot of 2-4 child families. Maybe not as good as cramming everyone into one Prius, but better mileage than the HiHy for similar space, and more space/seats than the Camry Hybrid with similar mileage.

For us with two small kids the Prius works fine. Could get crowded as they get bigger or if we have another one though.

Rob

You've hit the nail right on the head. I was actually looking at the Mazda5, and if that had a HSD in it we'd be on it like white on rice. Especially since I get a discount on Ford/Mercury/Mazda family through a program at work, I can get a fully loaded Mazda5 for about $25k. Nav, leather, entertainment, reverse camera, you name it. And three rows, seating for 6. Not enough benefit on it to justify trading in right now, though, but throw in an HSD and it's a no-brainer.

In response to the other comments, yes, we do need the space. We have kids with developmental disabilities and need the space for them and the occasional hab worker that we bring with us when we go out. Summertime is tough with everyone out of school, going to this camp, that camp, doctor appts, during the summer my wife has all three to work with during the day, and since you're not supposed to have small kids in the front seat they all have to go in the back, and with our kids we need two rows.

[AndyMartin826]

Originally Posted by Danny

It was the best photo I could think of for implying a larger sized Prius

Danny,

Regarding your mention of the Prius' "big brother". Do you know anything more about it, other than it will be kind of like a larger Prius? Are you implying a possible van, or just still a 5-seater more along the size of a Camry? If it's going to be a van, we might be waiting until next year instead of looking seriously at a HiHy right now...

[DaveinOlyWA]

Originally Posted by Danny

It was the best photo I could think of for implying a larger sized Prius

LOL!!

Danny, you just started another internet rumor...The Prius stationwagon!@!

[Steeler187]

This isn't a Toyota production car. But it is a cool car. The best MPG of any other limo. We at Danville Toyota 9Danville Va.) wouldn't have them if they were real.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by AndyMartin826

Danny,

Regarding your mention of the Prius' "big brother". Do you know anything more about it, other than it will be kind of like a larger Prius? Are you implying a possible van, or just still a 5-seater more along the size of a Camry? If it's going to be a van, we might be waiting until next year instead of looking seriously at a HiHy right now...

I would assume that the largest we would see would be a Venza-sized car, but I don't even think it'll be shaped like that. I actually see it being more Mazda 5-ish. In my opinion, if Toyota is going to brand it in the Prius family, then the car will have to get at least 40 mpg. Anything below that brings out the Detroit boo-birds who will say that Hybrid technology can't successfully be adapted to a car "sized for the American <fat ass> family".

[Danny]

Just a follow-up to this thread... I spoke with my contacts at Toyota and they will not confirm whether Motortrend has it right saying that the plug-in hybrid will be a completely separate new car, or if other sources like TG Daily are right in saying that it will be a plug-in version of the Prius.

According to Doug Coleman, Product Manager for the Prius, "At this time, we can't clarify which source "has it right" unfortunately, as we haven't seen the sources, and unfortunately that answer involves future product plans that we can't yet discuss."

He did make sure to emphasize the fact that the 2010 plug-in would be "geared" toward fleet customers and that they have "no plans to mass produce plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2010."

So, I'm sure you're out there wondering, how can I be a fleet customer? Here's the info straight off of Toyota's site:

Toyota : Business Fleet : Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions your fellow fleet operators are asking along with Toyota's answers. 1. Q: How do I qualify as a Toyota Fleet customer?
A: We define a fleet customer having 10 or more units in operation in order to qualify for a Toyota Fleet I.D. Number; they don't even need to be Toyota's.

2. Q: If I have more than 10 vehicles, how do I get a fleet ID? A: Just visit Welcome to Toyota Fleet | Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. via the internet, look up "How to apply for a Fleet ID?" under the resources tab, and complete the 3-step process described in the website.

3. Q: How do I order fleet vehicles? A: Your dealer can custom-order fleet category vehicles if you have 10 or more vehicles in service and have a Toyota Fleet ID number. See your local Toyota dealer for current Fleet incentives and product availability.

4. Q: What type of work truck equipment do you provide to satisfy my business needs? A: We have national working relationships with Weather Guard, Adrian Steel, Tommy Gate and A.R.E. Our commercial fleet dealers may have additional fleet equipment relationships that can provide for all your vehicle upfit requirements. For more information relative to our business partners, click here.

5. Q: If I am a business customer, but do not have 10 or more vehicles, what support is available? A: Business retail customers with less than 10 units in operation qualify for prevailing retail incentives. Consult your local dealer for details.

6. Q: If my fleet is under 10 units, how do I order vehicles to meet my business needs? A: See your local Toyota dealer. Vehicles can be purchased directly from dealer inventory to meet your business needs.

7. Q: How do I order vehicles that require distant delivery? A: If you have a fleet of 10 or more vehicles and a Toyota Fleet ID Number, your dealer can order vehicles that can be drop-shipped to Toyota Executive Delivery (TED) dealers throughout the continental United States.

8. Q: Whom should I contact to arrange Toyota Financial Services Commercial Fleet financing? A: Contact your local Toyota dealer for more information on commercial fleet financing.

9. Q: What kinds of commercial Fleet financing programs are available? A: Toyota Financial Services offers a variety of retail finance, open- and closed-end leases and balloon financing. Contact your local Toyota dealer for details.

10. Q: What other financing features are available? A: Toyota Financial Services also offers Vehicle Credit Lines, Consolidated Billing Statements, Master Agreements and Insurance Products. Contact your local Toyota dealer for details.



And I've attached the official press release from Toyota for anyone who's interested.