Delay in the release of the Li-battery based Prius?

I'd bet all the current problems with toyota will delay the release of the next model/generation of prius.

What and mean that we all go out and buy the Volt (Ampera in UK)? Oh, isn't that what the GM conspiracy is all about

Do you actually have a News item or is this just speculation? If you don't have a news item then it probably doesn't belong in this forum.

Are Li batteries specified for the PHV? I was a bit surprised that they did not make the Gen III with a Li battery pack.

Why?

Well, there are business examples that point to companies delaying the introduction of a new product, or a significant modification to an existing product... when consumer confidence is low.

Step out of your Prius/Toyota box for a second, and ask yourself the following question: Will the typcial consumer take a chance on buying a Prius, knowing that the entire hybrid battery technology has changed? General rule of thumb for most consumers is to avoid the first year of a product that has undergone a major change. Now, add to that all the hysteria about Toyota reliability, etec? Would it NOT be prudent for Toyota to delay a bit until consumer confidence returns?

I say (speculation) that Toyota will delay the introduction of the Li-battery into mass sales of Prii for an additional year (or two) beyond when they had originally planned to introduce the Li-battery into the prius.

To be clear, it has NOTHING to do with the technology, or the availability of this technology in mass production. It will be based on sales and marketing strategy, and until the current hysteria dies down, I honestly do NOT think Toyota will add more possible concerns (or confusion) about their product by introducing a major new component. Those that know the product, like most people on here, would have no issue...but I'm not talking about you and me...I'm talking about the typical (nervous) consumer.

It will be an extra cost package, and they will sell mid 5-figures of them in the first year just to knowledgeable buyers. Absolutely no reason to delay.

You really think the typical consumer would know, much less care about the difference in battery technology?

Maybe I am a bit jaded, but my experience with my 2010 BMW 3 series leaves me wondering. With the BMW, it seems to be more about brand perception than any of the technological details.

I could be completely out in left field about the Prius plug-in, however.

Your opinion.

Mine is no.

Proof?

I say the "average" consumer is "jaded" by recent events. You are dillusional if you think the average consumer is not concerned.

The question Toyota will be asking is - How long will this concern last?

How do you explain all the early Prius buyers when the whole hybrid technology was new?

Um, early sales of the prius were not exactly stellar. It took over 5 years, after first being introduced in the US market, before Prius sales reached 6-figures.

"U.S. sales of the Prius began in August 2000. By 2001 sales there totaled 15,556, and by 2002 had reached 20,119.[76] In 2004 sales there were 53,991."

But no doubt what few cars they did sell in those early years were based, in large measure, on Toyota's good reputation as making low defect vehicles. It's called good will. .

Sure and this whole stupid brake fiasco is going to blow over and things will go back to normal. People will realize what a farce this whole "braking problem" campaign has been.

What, pray tell is an "average consumer"? Most car purchases are used cars. Most car purchases are non Hybrid. And yet there is quite a wide range of ages and occupations represented by members of PriusChat and this is just a fraction of all hybrid owners.

I predict that the reason that there will be no long term effect of this recall is that there is not a widespread problem. I predict that there will be at least a small backlash from all the talk much like when the kid cried wolf and there was no wolf.

Maybe?

The good news for Toyota is - Americans have VERY short memories.

The typical consumer is not who matters for the first Gen Li-Ion.

Savvy Prius owners are; and I suspect in large numbers are not fazed by the recall hysteria. I certainly am not.