I don't think this is going to be a replacement for the Prius. I think this is going to be another car that is also a hybrid. So in addition to the HyHigh, the Cambrid and the Prius there will be another car that has been a Prius from the getgo. Something bigger. In reading it I'm going yeah, something for my parents. They are Cadillac people but are now very disappointed in the Cadillac. But they like the room and the perks. My Dad likes the leather. My Mom likes the heated seats and the programmable seat adjustment (neither of which work in the Caddy anymore.) So if Toyota could come up with a hybrid comperable to the Caddy (not necessarily in size but in luxury) I could talk them into that. I was thinking I would have to try to talk them into the Cambrid with the limited trunk space. But with this new car.....

We don't need a bigger hyrid from Toyota, we need a smaller one.

I'm betting on a hybrid Fit from Honda.

Harry

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Earthling @ Jun 24 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]467296[/snapback]</div>

Bottom line is you're going to have to have a hybrid in every car/truck category. You need to provide for everyone's individual needs. Toyota got lucky with the second gen Prius in that it met the needs of a lot of people. Not so much the gen 1. Now they need to expand. Yes, they need a smaller hybrid with a small pricetag. But they also need something for the soccer mom's that are driving big honkin SUVs. They need a hybrid small, light duty truck. And they need a hybrid car larger and more luxurious than a Camry that is NOT a Lexus with the accompanying Lexus pricetag. They've opted to go with the large luxury car before offering the smaller, lowering priced car. But it will come. Toyota has said they will have a hybrid for their entire line by....2010? 2012? Whenever. They have a plan and they are obviously acting on it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Earthling @ Jun 24 2007, 02:06 PM) [snapback]467296[/snapback]</div>

I would not bet on it comming from Honda. Honda is now a laggard in Hybrids. They only have one real hybrid left, the Civic which is a mild hybrid only. Toyota has them beat and maybe GM and Ford will have em beat in early 2008.

Estima ... Estima ... Estima ... keep repeating the mantra ...
.
When the F is Toyota going to CLUE IN about this?
.
_H*

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hampdenwireless @ Jun 24 2007, 05:26 PM) [snapback]467349[/snapback]</div>

Honda led the way with Insight. While the Civic may be categorized as a "mild hybrid," the car gets very close to Prius mpg's, so the results aren't "mild."

Don't count Honda out!

I'd love to see Ford come up with another hybrid, to go along with the Escape.

In the meantime, I'm sure Honda is hard at work on hybrids, and we'll all be pleased with their offerings.

Harry

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Earthling @ Jun 24 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]467296[/snapback]</div>

Maybe you don't. But I certainly could use a hybrid minivan (or at least a station wagon).
If Toyota brings the Estima to the US, I'll be the first in line.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Jun 24 2007, 07:57 PM) [snapback]467398[/snapback]</div>

I think the mass market for future hybrids is in the same direction... I don't have any data to support this, but I would guess that one of the main reasons for the Prius' success is it really has hit a sweet spot between size and economy. It gets great mileage, and it's not a compact vehicle.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jun 24 2007, 11:26 AM) [snapback]467254[/snapback]</div>

You may want to take your parents to a Lexus showroom. Lexus cars have all the amenities of Caddies, with Toyota reliability. There's hybrid GS, LS, and probably soon an ES.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Per @ Jun 24 2007, 09:26 PM) [snapback]467439[/snapback]</div>

Yes. I know. They have no interest in the hybrid SUV Lexus has but want some kind of sedan. It's the pricetag. My Dad is all for Lexus. My Mother is against spending that kind of money. That's why I'm trying to direct them to Toyota. I'm sure she'd go for the Cambrid. But my Dad would object to the lack of trunk space. So if Toyota's new hybrid is a larger sedan with some of the luxuries they like....like the leather interior and heated seats....that's the car.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Earthling @ Jun 24 2007, 07:47 PM) [snapback]467393[/snapback]</div>

I can tell you Honda is only comming out with one new hybrid and thats in 2009. Its probobly going to be sized smaller then the Prius which is nice but 2009 is a long time from now.

I would have loved them to build an Insight 2 <IMAS concept> which they could have last year. They did not. Simply upgrading the Insights batteries and motor to modern standards <they were from 1999> they could have made 70-80mpg with no increase in cost from the first Insight.


Ford should give us an Hybrid Fusion but that was already due for 2007 and its not here. Ford has more advanced Hybrid technology then Honda but has yet to apply it to a car.


The first company to come out with a hybrid minivan or station wagon that is geared to MPG is going to have a hit on thier hands. 40mpg would be easy to get 50mpg would be a challange.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jun 24 2007, 11:25 PM) [snapback]467458[/snapback]</div>

Avalon was made for them

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nytimez @ Jun 24 2007, 08:03 PM) [snapback]467402[/snapback]</div>

I personally know of 3 different people that personally told me that the second that Toyota makes a Hybrid minivan they will be first in line to buy it.
And I know another that says the same but for a light duty Tacoma Hybrid extended cab.
Everyone who has taken a look at my Prius likes it, but it doesn't quite meet their needs.

I grew up with an old Cadillac Seville.

The Classic Prius had absolutely everything the Seville did. Leather seats, etc.

And yes, it is equally comfortable to drive in.

But alas, the Classic is gone forever.

I think that Toyota should keep the Prius as the flagship hybrid, and move older Prius technology to the Scion line with a new body style. They could call it the xH. As the Scion line is geared for first-time buyers, an affordable hybrid Scion would be ideal for a lot of people.

Sometimes it seems like Toyota isn't as serious as it could be regarding hybrids. Toyota definitely doesn't want to be known as "the Hybrid car maker" by any stretch of the imagination. Making the Prius is nice but Toyota also makes the largest SUV available, too. Toyota is certainly the trailblazer of this new technology but they are treading lightly with it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hampdenwireless @ Jun 24 2007, 11:15 PM) [snapback]467475[/snapback]</div>

I suspect Toyota execs know full well about the demand for a hybrid minivan and have a secret plan to bring their hybrid Estima (or a bigger Sienna version) to the US market. It's a no-brainer, really. They're just being coy about it to keep the demand pent up and their competitors guessing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(etyler88 @ Jun 24 2007, 11:46 PM) [snapback]467489[/snapback]</div>

And as soon as an Avalon is available as a hybrid, I'll start pushing it. For now its the Cambrid or the Prius.

Maybe that new larger hybrid is going to be a hybrid verson of the Avalon?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(morpheusx @ Jun 25 2007, 10:03 AM) [snapback]467562[/snapback]</div>

Definitely. If I had a second child, the Prius would probably be just a little too small. Something people without kids never seem to understand is that a child doesn't take up the space of one adult - the child takes up the space of an adult and half, or more - depending on where you draw the line on how many items are allowed to accompany them on every trip! I have a friend with three kids who loves my Prius, but it would just never work for him.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nytimez @ Jun 25 2007, 06:25 PM) [snapback]467901[/snapback]</div>

I think you're underrating the potential of the car. My biggest concern before puchase was interior space when my spouse and two kids were loaded for a trip. Turns out there was no reason for concern.

This car gives everyone I know the impression of being small, but it's just an illusion created by its proportions.

Do a quick search for efusco's pics of his Prius fitted with three children's car seats across the back seat and the trunk loaded for romper room nirvana.

My family just finished a 2,700 mile road trip with the four of us, 4 pieces of luggage packed with 11 days worth of clothes, a cooler, emergency equipment, backpacks, kids video games and dvd players and books and activity sets and pillows and critically needed plush items. We still had room to pile in souvenirs as we went.