This would be right on time for my wife's new car, which will need to be large enough to carry the growing family. We keep getting more and more pets. I think we've turned into "those people" on the street.

I don't think we'll see a Hybrid Mini-Van or station wagon (or truck) in 2009. But we might in 2013. Isn't that when the next redesign cycle occurs? The Hybrid Mini-Van might benefit not only from ground up design but the next incarnation of the HSD system. Maybe they'll have Lithium batteries by then. And plug-in. Who knows what advances in technology will have happened by then.

With the Prius, Camry and this new sedan all hybridized, they really need to do a Mini-Van, station wagon or truck next. Leave the hybridized small cars and another hybrid SUV for later.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Dec 30 2006, 05:01 PM) [snapback]368729[/snapback]</div>

However, the Estima minivan with HSD is already available in Japan.

That could very well bring about a model of hybrid minivan option here that doesn't fit any cycle.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Dec 30 2006, 07:01 PM) [snapback]368747[/snapback]</div>

How much would it take to put the steering wheel on the left hand side for the U.S.? How much of the car would have to be redesigned?

And could they do it with the same redesigned 2009 HSD as the Prius and the new Mid-size sedan?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Dec 30 2006, 06:20 PM) [snapback]368757[/snapback]</div>

Indulging in your thoughts. Consider this:

It could very well be a pseudo-replacement for Camry.

Think about it. At some point, it won't be cost-effective to produce non-hybrid Camry anymore. But stopping production prematurely could be a disaster. However, if you already have a candidate in place and it just happens to a smash hit, that wouldn't be a problem.

I see this move as Toyota testing the waters for a major step forward. Imagine the top-selling sedan in the nation only being available as a hybrid. Pretty sweet, eh?

There actually is quite a bit of potential. The technology certainly is moving toward a "no non-hybrid counterpart" scenario. After all, economies of scale would support that. And the self-destructive actions of the competition are hardly a threat to such a plan.

Well, how long has the Estima been sold in Japan? And don't they have another hybrid Van of some sort?

A hybrid light duty truck would be a very good thing; its the one area where I think huge gains could be made in the average fuel economy. Most of the time the trucks used by regular consumers are not hauling anything, but they are essential when you want to take your 5th Wheel camping with your family or your boat to the lake. The rest of the time you're driving it back and forth to work, and wasting quite a bit of fuel.

Hybrid technology is a natural for this kind of mixed-use application. Perhaps Toyota will enable a "super saver mode" where the driver can opt for much less power and gas use while commuting and a "power mode" with ICE engaged even at low speeds for towing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Dec 30 2006, 11:51 PM) [snapback]368844[/snapback]</div>

Don't forget about the electrical side. Remember that the battery and motors can be different too... so different that coexistance could easily be possible. It would make a lot of sense to have that alternate configuration sedan in an entirely different body. That way, there's no confusion about performance abilities.

GM has an interesting situation coming up. The effort to distinguish their "GreenLine" hybrid from their "Two-Mode" in the same vehicle (Vue) but using a different engine will definitely be a challenge, perhaps more than they anticipate. But if Toyota has two similar sized sedans with the same engine but different hybrid components (capacity & size), identification would be quite obvious even for the basic consumer just doing simple information searches online.

As we discovered with Prius way back in 2000, the technology plays only a supportive role in the rollout process itself. A well informed market (consumers, salespeople, mechanics, and reporters) has the biggest influence in the success at that stage. So diversification on the level of vehicle rather than model could indeed help with the increase of hybrid production. If nothing else, Toyota certainly will get credit for trying... unlike some of the competition who are having trouble with the initial rollout still.

But the question remains about how long a vehicle would be offered in both hybrid and non-hybrid models. Beyond a generation (typically 5 years) seems to be pushing it at this point. The business does have a bottom-line to eventually address.

as big as the difference in the 2001-03 and 2004+ was, i think we are just a year or two out from seeing another leap in technology.

with the obvious growing acceptance of hybrid technology and its growing track record of top notch reliability, i think the next obvious move is to take advantage of the hybrid name by introducing products geared at a much larger segment of society.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Dec 31 2006, 10:32 AM) [snapback]368936[/snapback]</div>

I think once there is a mini van and a pickup with reasonable MPG. The general public will start to realize, hay these hybrids can really do the job and save gas at the same time.

I had a friend come by who bought a Ford Escape. I ask him did he gat a hybrid. He said noo and don't want one. I told him what good mileage, etc. I was getting and he looked very suprised. He had no further comment about why he did not buy a hybrid. Many, many people have no idea what they are missing. My wife's grandfather thought it was neat, but asked me what I had to give for my Prius $100,000?

Until they see or experience capability of hauling everyday bulky needs in a pickup or being able to get the whole family into a (one) vehicle like a mini van, it is a up hill sale by us converted Prius owners. My wife and I, our daughter and her 3 kids will not fit in a Prius. We cannot go to the store and buy a large TV, washer or dryer, barbaque grille, or any furniture, etc. without paying for delivery later when we want it now.

I think those 2 vehicles will advance hybrid use by individuals more than any other vehicles.

Everyone isn't going to be happy with a Prius. Okay make them all hybrids, that would make the cost a lot more affordable. We still need to reduce dependence on gasoline. Then we can work on alternate fuels.

Phase in the hybrid line and phase out the gas only.

Then phase in the EV (when it comes) and phase out most of the hybrids. Some will still be needed.

But for some people the only way they'll buy a hybrid is if there isn't anything else.

But I think for the majority, when you have two cars that cost the same and one is a hybrid that gets much better mileage, they'll choose the hybrid. Now to get them to cost the same or close enough.

There is still too much misinformation out there.

A few months ago my Brother in Law still thought I plugged the car in. I still get comments about having to spend $10,000 to replace the battery in three years. Time will take care of a lot of this.

Hybrids are not a 'fad'. Slowly, people will be shifting more to hybrids every year. And those manufacturers that have something people will buy will make money. That means a hybrid Mini-Van and a Hybrid Truck. Not everyone wants an SUV or a mid-size car if those are the only hybrids there are. So it is essential to widen the offerings in the line.

Why doesn't Toyota hear us????? The Estima min-van should be here already. I'd be the first in line.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Dec 31 2006, 06:07 PM) [snapback]369058[/snapback]</div>

They don't have to be lower.

They just have to be close. Gas is going up. People are starting to want higher mileage. Getting an extra 10 miles to a gallon in a comparison will start to have an impact on decisions.

And when your only choices are nice Hybrids and gas guzzling POS, that will also influence buying decisions.