Toyota Plots Comeback for Prius After Tesla Takes Spotlight

Can merge this thread in: "4th Generation coming"?

Was posted in: 4th generation coming 2015! | Page 216 | PriusChat

 

It reads like we are getting a peek at real, not speculated changes.

Bob Wilson

 

The article starts out quoting a man who bought 2006 Prius for its HOV access commenting on its lack of electronic features compared to current cars then goes on to compare the coming Prius with a twice as costly Tesla.

I look forward to the next article which would be a comparison of a 2006 Chevy with a current Mercedes E.

Blather.

 

They talk about " new center of gravity " for the newer revamped vehicle, might it be that the traction batteries will be installed below the cabin and not inside?

 

isn't this the same rag that said obama invented the volt?

 

bloomberg owns businessweek, but bloomberg business coverage seems more editorial than informational.
+1

same websute, slightly less insane authors

Translation, we have a real news item, Toyota is going to cut costs out of the prius, maybe they will make it cheaper to buy, or maybe they will spend the money on a wierd grill like on the mirai. Plus we found a idiot, and typed what he said.

 

When I hear "common parts" all I can think of is the dash with centred control panel. Hate it, btw.

 

Whoever did the re-style of the upcoming RAV4 Hybrid should be fired. They actually found a way to make it uglier, with the worst looking front end I've ever seen. It looks like a Mitsubishi that has been in a frontal collision! Crawl back under the bridge.

Toyota, What are you thinking? I was looking forward to the RAV4 Hybrid, but now I'm stunned by how bad it looks. Don't do that to the Prius, please

 

I duno . . . the 2016 Outlander (which WILL come in a U.S. plugin version) Mitsu has definitely caught the big mouth bass look that Lexus has so eloquently vomited onto all of us . . . .


Apparently PiP's don't need bigger ev range . . . . you people only want bigger looking grillwork

.

 

You know, there might be opportunity here. A foam-and-fiberglass cover that is colored to blend in with the body. The air inlet can be from below in effect using the ram air pressure to bring only what is needed into the 'grill.'

Bob Wilson

 

A stiffer body would be good. I was skeptical on the flexibility of the Prius models, until I drove my 2012 "v."

I was surprised on how much better my old 1998 Mazda MPV rode. It was based on the then luxury Mazda 929.

Over the past three years, I have designed and made a wide variety of chassis braces that effectively improved the quality of the ride.

 

If C is an indication it is still going to be inside not under the car. But it will be lower - under rear seat in space now taken by torsion beam suspension.

 

It is funny that my 2010 doesn't feel "not stiff enough"; all it took TRD rear anti-sway bar and Tanabe STB/underbrace in the front. I suppose other braces wouldn't hurt, but are they really necessary /in Prius?/

 

Or maybe between the front seats like the European version of the Prius V?

 

Over looking the backhanded compliments. (9_9)

The Prius is the de facto standard for an alternative energy vehicle
which every alternative energy vehicle is compared to regardless.

The Prius' trump card over every other alternative energy vehicle is not based on its technology (which is awesome), but in Toyota's marketing and fostering of the Prius user/driver/owner community. A key marketing factor for Prius success so far has been keeping the price of the Prius affordable and Toyota's focus on extending the Prius model line by very broad demographic usage (rather being tempted by niche market segments like car racing).

1) While the Prius is very reliable, IMHO Toyota should work harder to extend the Prius community to include independent auto mechanics.

2) Toyota should look at Apple's iTune and Microsoft's certification program as possible business models that could be used to approve and support after-market Prius tuning stuff - e.g. dent-resistant carbon fiber or plastic door panel, dash camera, An After-market/ Third party market place for Tuning or customizing a Prius could be an inexpensive way to keep the Prius front and center of attention. For example a universal smart pad or smart phone -security docking station could mean that a Prius could be simply upgraded electronically with every new generation of smart pad/smart phone or new app. One thing I learned from 8 bit computers is that no company is can afford to sole source the entire market. Popular technologies like the original IBM PC and the Apple Iphone succeeded in part because they allowed after market sources to go for the niche markets that were too small for the original manufacturer to address. Toyota should focus on what they do best.. .and leave the rest of the Prius market to others.