1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Toyota gets 25,000 pre-sale orders for Prius Alpha in Japan

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by cwerdna, May 13, 2011.

  1. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,123
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    1 person likes this.
  2. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2008
    2,760
    322
    3
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Wow! 25,000 pre orders!!! When I saw the Prius v in person in California it was a very nice car.

     
  3. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2011
    3,292
    547
    0
    Location:
    2014 Prius c
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    not to start but
    - why did they change name to v? what was wrong with Alpha?
    - why are we not getting 7-seat option?
     
  4. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2007
    3,355
    300
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
  5. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,849
    8,153
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    Premium
    The way people are snapping up fuel sippers - or even the oportunity to get one, you'd hardly think the world economy is in recession.
     
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    So far, any name is better than v.

    The following are just my assumptions:

    Toyota can't make CARB's 10 year/150,000 mile AT-PZV warranty with first generation Li-ion (it was the second generation in NiMH as well)

    If they had room, they could put in a NiMH battery that would make AT-PZV, so they had to use the space under the floor that WOULD have held the jump seats, for the larger, heavier NiMH battery. (The Li-ion battery fits in the center console area)

    This makes a cheaper 5 seat option for other countries, but it is the only version that meets the US goal.

    If Li-ion holds up well, Toyota can add it to US fleet once the bean counters know it will not bankrupt them in warranty replacements.
     
  7. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2005
    3,156
    440
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Europe
    luckily you dont live in Japan, right? :).

    It is 15% more than base Prius Gen3 in Japan.
     
  8. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2011
    3,292
    547
    0
    Location:
    2014 Prius c
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I hear what are you saying but personally see no point in 5-seater. Heavier, worse MPG, more expensive then comparably equipped Prius.

    50% more cargo space matters little, standard Prius has more then enough room. And on money saved on gas you can rent a minivan when you need more.
     
  9. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    15,232
    1,563
    0
    Location:
    off into the sunset
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Maybe more people are realising that fuel sippers cost less in the long run, and they're buying them to save money.

    Plus, Japan is short a few hundred thousand cars after the recent earthquake and tsunami, so that's bound to spur sales.
     
  10. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2005
    3,156
    440
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Europe
    for you...sure... you do realize not everyone is the world is just like you right?

    otherwise we would have single car on the road, tailored to only your needs.
     
  11. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2011
    3,292
    547
    0
    Location:
    2014 Prius c
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    and it would be Suburban?

    No question about it. Question is who is a Prius v buyer?
     
  12. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    If it was 2009, I would definitely bought the v.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    So they could have sold one if they made it when I was buying. Now I have mastered how to get everything in, JUST so.
     
  13. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2011
    3,292
    547
    0
    Location:
    2014 Prius c
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    We crossed country 2UP on motorcycle with less then 4cu.ft storage, multiweek camping trips with 4 kids in minivan, going from 120F in Death Valley to 30F in Yellowstone, never felt the space was not adequate.

    Check The Container Store - The Original Storage and Organization Store®, you can store alot if you are creative. If not no space would be enough?
     
  14. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2005
    3,156
    440
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Europe
    Anyone that buys vehicle larger than Corolla?

    Is that so hard to grasp really? In fact, small MPVs are very popular in Europe, and Toyota is only manufacturer that has small MPV with 7 seats there... Ford, VW and GM sell their small MPVs with 5 seats and they sell great.

    So I would guess those and these 25000 people who ordered it in Japan are the customers.
     
  15. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2008
    2,760
    322
    3
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    You're approaching the need for a Ford Transit Connect. Too bad they don't make a hybrid version ...yet.
     
  16. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2011
    2,171
    659
    23
    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Those 25,000 Japanese are getting a Alpha not a V.
     
  17. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I cover about 1/5 of the state of MS, with 3 counties of AR. (over 30,000 miles a year) In that entire area, there is one store more technical than a Walmart, in terms of Networking gear. When I arrive at a client, if I do not have all the parts I need to install their copier, (and computers) there is no chance I can find the missing parts in town. So I need to carry those parts to make money. I also need to do so cheaply to make money.
    As you see, I use a Prius as my 'cargo van'. If the v has a foot more cargo area, I can fit in a 22 foot ladder!

    For 75% of my clients, all I need is a USB drive and my experience. Sadly I can't stay in business satisfying 75% of my customers. Just yesterday I may have found a new tub of gear I 'must' carry.

    http://www.quiktron.com/pdfs/literature/rapidrun-quiktron-brochure.pdf
     
  18. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    15,232
    1,563
    0
    Location:
    off into the sunset
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    That's a lot of stuff, alright. As a family camping veteran, I know the Prius can hold an amazing amount of whatever you need to haul.

    Is the trunk full, too Jim? As an idea, maybe you could take the floor out, and then be able to stack the containers. I've found smaller containers to be more space efficient than larger ones, but that may not help if your gear doesn't fit in them. For camping, milk crates come in very handy.
     
  19. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2008
    614
    113
    33
    Location:
    Colorado and Arizona
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    That will be us if we can get two sets of clubs and related gear in the back without putting down the back seat.

    [​IMG]

    As you can see, only one set of clubs (these are the wife's) can fit sideways in a standard Prius. If the rear of the "v" is sufficiently wide (or long), then we can get two (or maybe 3) sets of clubs in the rear and have room in the back seat for a passenger or two. We tend to play some fairly distant courses and would like to be able to take a passenger or two. Having adequate usable room plus great fuel economy is really important to us.
     
  20. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2009
    2,287
    460
    0
    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    $4/gal * 100mi * (1/40mpg - 1/50mpg ) = $2/100mi
    ($5/gal => $2.50/100mi)

    $4/gal * 100mi * (1/20mpg - 1/50mpg) = $12/100mi
    ($5/gal => $15/100mi)

    Frequent rental would end up costing more, but occasional rental would be cheaper. At current prices, additional gas usage in a rental minivan would be offset by reduced depreciation of an owned Prius, so it's more a matter of rental costs. When gasoline prices rise further in the future the miles traveled will become more important.

    But I think you're also missing a key word here: passengers.

    The Prius v will offer slightly more rear space and 50% more cargo space which means that it will be better for people who need to carry larger passengers in the rear, parents who deal with child seats and people who carry passengers and cargo at the same time.

    Combined with the higher driving position that many people like and you have a car that can take sales from wagons, minivans and crossovers.

    Sure, the Prius would suffice for many of those people but they don't necessarily think that and there is no independent panel that selects their cars.