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Are the test mules still being used?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by devprius, Mar 1, 2012.

  1. devprius

    devprius /dev/geek

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    Coming home the other day, I followed what appeared to be one of the test mules for the PiP. It was clearly a GenIII, had Prius Plug-in Hybrid graphics on the lower part of the doors, and had the plug-in port up by the drivers front fender. Is Toyota still conducting testing with these cars? Or were they sold to private parties after the test program ended? The license plate on the car was a standard one. Didn't say DLR or MFG on it. This was in the area of San Bruno & Pacifica in Northern California.
     
    #1 devprius, Mar 1, 2012
  2. andi1111

    andi1111 Member

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    Yes, at least in Europe, there are. In fact, I've been given one today, for a week:rockon:

     
    #2 andi1111, Mar 1, 2012
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  3. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    #3 Tracksyde, Mar 1, 2012
  4. devprius

    devprius /dev/geek

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    #4 devprius, Mar 1, 2012
  5. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

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    Here in Portugal all test mules are still on the run, providing real data for Toyota and some other companies involved.
     
    #5 telmo744, Mar 2, 2012
  6. inventor00

    inventor00 Active Member

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    I think some organizations like UC Irvine probably still have some for testing...
     
    #6 inventor00, Mar 2, 2012
  7. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    Since they have different batteries, software, electronics those demo cars aren't really testing anything for production phv anymore:D They probably make great test mules for some university though for other batteries.

    They are nice cars though, and it would be ashame if they crushed them like a lot of demonstration vehicles.
     
    #7 austingreen, Mar 2, 2012
  8. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    I'd heard talk from one of the bay area Toyota insiders that the companies leasing the test PiPs would be allowed to do buyouts, rather than just just returning them to Toyota. I really really wanted to get our business on that list of preferred companies. Never happened. Anyway, that buyout talk seems to have gone away. Too bad.
     
    #8 hill, Mar 2, 2012
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