Prius Sales are Exploding in Japan: 392% More than a Year Ago in July

[spwolf]

yes, they already doubled the production from Gen2 to Gen3 for Prius :-).

[Rybold]

Originally Posted by ken1784

The Panasonic EV Energy's HV battery production plan is 800,000 in 2009 and 1,100,000 in 2010.

My observation and guess for July sales are as follows;
Japan Prius: 27,712
Japan other: 3,000 (guess)
US Prius: 19,173
US other: 5,122
other all: 5,000 (guess)
-----------------------
total: approx 60,000 in July

Ken@Japan

If we deduct the "guess," we definitely know that Toyota sold 52,000 batteries in July. Based on what I have read in multiple articles of Panasonic producing 500,000 batteries per year (41,666/month), this means Toyota is sales are being limited by Panasonic's rate of battery production. However, if we go by the figure that you quoted of 800,000 batteries/year, then Panasonic is producing 66,666 batteries/month, and therefore Toyota is not being limited by Panasonic. Does anyone know which scenario is the true scenario?

[ken1784]

Please do not use "Panasonic" alone. It's another company.
Please use "Panasonic EV Energy" or "PEVE" for the company.

The 500,000 number was 2008 production.
Please refer to page-20 of following presentation.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/ir/presen...02presen_1.pdf

Toyota's hybrid production is limited by the battery supply, therefore Panasonic EV Energy increased 2010 plan form 1 million to 1.1 million.

Ken@Japan

[Rybold]

Originally Posted by ken1784

Please do not use "Panasonic" alone. It's another company.
Please use "Panasonic EV Energy" or "PEVE" for the company.

The 500,000 number was 2008 production.
Please refer to page-20 of following presentation.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/ir/presen...02presen_1.pdf

Toyota's hybrid production is limited by the battery supply, therefore Panasonic EV Energy increased 2010 plan form 1 million to 1.1 million.

Ken@Japan

Thank you. I think the problem here begins at the reporter of this article, in which they quoted a "blog" as fact. Thank you for making available the primary source. Too bad the author of the article that I had found did not cite a reliable source. 2010 Toyota Prius a Big Hit, But Battery Bottleneck is Holding Back Production : TreeHugger - FAIL article.

[spwolf]

Originally Posted by Rybold

Thank you. I think the problem here begins at the reporter of this article, in which they quoted a "blog" as fact. Thank you for making available the primary source. Too bad the author of the article that I had found did not cite a reliable source. 2010 Toyota Prius a Big Hit, But Battery Bottleneck is Holding Back Production : TreeHugger - FAIL article.

Toyota announced new factory early this year for battery production despite bad business enviroment at that time (and nobody thought but Toyota that Prius will sell well).

[Rybold]

Originally Posted by spwolf

Toyota announced new factory early this year for battery production despite bad business enviroment at that time (and nobody thought but Toyota that Prius will sell well).

If gasoline can hold at it's current price or go even higher, Prius demand will only increase above today's levels. Hurricane season is August through October, so who knows what might happen. We could [potentially] see $4 gasoline again if we have some major hurricanes.

Here is why high gas prices are good right now: It keeps automakers focused on hybrids, electrics, and overall efficiency, and keeps consumers on edge about buying new SUVs.
.