Dashboard Feb-May 2013

How would offering a plug in c and v with the same design trade offs as the PPI increase Toyota's take rate for plug ins? When do they plan to offer them and the dedicated model? Three other mainstream manufacturers now offer a PHV. One offers two. It is no longer the early 2000's when most of were unsure or out righted dissed hybrids. Toyota risks being passed on PHVs at this point.

Going by Mays sales numbers, the number of PPI sold was 7.4% of the number of Prius sold. Using 60% to represent the sales region of the PPI. The C-max Energi was 13.8% of the C-max. You said mainstream acceptance is the goal. Without the success of the Prius itself, the PPI is not doing as well as the C-max in getting there. With different decisions in the PPI's design balance, it could have been selling better. Why aren't more Prius shoppers choosing a PPI?

For giggles, the Volt is at 7% when compared to the Cruze. Not a fair one considering the price and amenity difference between the two I admit. Maybe 7% is what we can expect in a hybrid to PHV sales ratio, and the Ford Energi's are just hot now

The buy in bulk and get a discount can work. Of course it relies on having selling the end product.

Besides, how much has lithium batteries dropped in price since the introduction of the Volt and Leaf?

 

Not when the other party has you on ignore.

Drinnovation's frustration is understandable considering that he, and other Volt owners, were open and honest in their discussions in the beginning. But this is a Prius site, and some fanbois all over don't want to here the positives on the other.

 

That's not where I was going. The liftback model of Prius is already offered with 2 different battery-packs. Why not a third, the choice of a high-capacity package?

Things change over time. That's why quoting from the past is so misleading without context & detail. That's also why getting off of ignore is just a matter of making an effort to disassociate from the past.

 

The following vehicles were built from a blank sheet for their targeted niche:
1) Prius
2) Volt
3) Tesla
4) Leaf

The following vehicles were built with compromises in order to use existing infrastructure:
1) Plug In Prius
2) Ford Hybrids and EVs
3) All other GM Hybrids

It's no coincidence that the first group is doing OK to great and the second group is best described as mediocre. I would claim that is due to engineering, not marketing.

 

I challenge you (or anyone), to quote from the future.

(OK, everyone is being so serious I thought I'd have a little fun)

Mike

 

Just to throw a little gas on the fire...

No one has discussed another aspect of sales. There are some who "want" to only buy "Made in the USA."
I don't know if this is having any effect, but I think some of the Volt sales comes from this, especially from government agencies. And I'm sure there are some who want to only do the opposite.

Mike

 

Agreed, its exceptionally ineffective, but it it still a little more effective than ignoring the truth.
In this case I was mostly though I was going for humor.. (since the person to whom it was aimed is ignoring me ;-)

Hopefully I'm still viewed as open and honest in the discussion, as I try to keep it that way. I'm here to learn and to share what I know, and correct the misconception and mis-stated data some others try to pass off as "fact". There are people here that want real information, and unfortunately there are some here that make vauge statements as if they are facts (with no supporting evidence) while a few still toss out factually incorrect statements. But mostly Priuschat is a great site with meaningful discussions on a broad range of energy efficient vehicle topics.

Sure, I'll play along. I can quote from the future

Thats from Dr. Brown in the 1985 "Back to the future" and what is cool is now we now can even buy an electric delorean:




Okay back to your serious comment

yep Buy USA is an issue for many volt (and ford) buyers but not many agencies. Fleet sales for volts are about <10%.. and most of that is corporate fleets. But a many of buyers over at gm-volt are definitely Buy USA types -- though others have not bought a USA car in decades. Would be an intersting poll.

 

Niche? Prius has been the top selling vehicle in Japan for several years now. What part of that doesn't make it mainstream?

 

He may have been referring to the original 'niche' market for hybrids.
However, I can't say for sure, it all depends how you define 'niche'.
Hybrids as a whole have a pretty small market share here in the USA although it is a substantial number.

 

The true measure change is the production of each individual automaker.
Toyota has clearly shifted a large chunk of their production to hybrids.

 

Niche just means a specific market target, not a narrow market target. I would consider a four door pickup truck to be a niche market (but an extremely large one).

 

yes, but who is defining meaningful? to me, it is.

 

If the electricity is from the grid, then NOT EVEN CLOSE.

If by listening you mean begging for a bailout, then sure.

But then wouldn't every car model be serving a niche ?

 

Bingo.

 

Stuffing a big battery in a crappy car does not the competition, leap.

 

I think the PiP's sales numbers have proved your point.

 

Nah, that would be:

Stuffing a small battery in a great car does not the competition, leap