Toyota Greenlights Prius Subbrand

Oh yeah, forgot about the Avalon. Heard it was being dropped after 2011, then just recently heard it is being given a major interior, minor exterior refresh. So that means 2013-2014 MY, if at all. Steal some motors from the GS model over at Lexus and let's go to town!

 

Ha, you know that's not something I could tell you. But I am impressed with your personal investment in thinking it through.

I'm not going to comment on that, except to say, take the articles for what they are: second-hand reports. I'm sure it's pretty easy for you to envision a Scion-like retail experience for Prius, just as easy as it is to envision simply having additional Prius-nameplated models on a Toyota dealership floor. Lots of options here.

Thanks for all the feedback. This is fun.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

 

The way I see this is... utility vehicles are just that - untility! They were engineered, built and used for heavy-duty or utility use. Hybrid vehicles were intended for casual use. This is not to say they could not design a hybrid utility vehicle - as a matter of fact, I believe they will some day. But the focus right now is to grow the hybrid brand and that would mean they're going to design and build bybrid vehicles for the general public.

 

Hey Doug, I would seriously consider tyring to drive the new brands away from the 'tree hugger' image. While I belive in efficiency and reducing our use of fossil fuels, I constantly run into people who associate the Prius with 'tree huggers.' I even read this in the media all the time. Toyota, or more specificly you team, should drive the public's perception of Hybrid vehicles away from tree hugging and aim towards their practicality, usefulness, and efficiency.

As always, many thanks for all your efforts!

Don

 

I disagree. Prius taxis, for instance, have proven to be very durable, and are popular with drivers for their lower operating costs. Why couldn't HSD be used on larger vehicles? There are a huge number of vehicles used in trades and deliveries that could be hybrids. I hunch the Prius minivan will at least as big a hit as the hatchback, and not just with 'soccer moms'. Couriers, painters, electricians, flower shops...I think it's a huge market.

'Tree huggers' will do the right thing, even if it costs them more money. Most corporations want to be seen as doing the right thing, as long as it doesn't cost them more money. But if you can sell the advantages of lower operating costs, you'll capture the whole spectrum. Hybrids aren't just for greenies anymore.

 

I LOVE hearing this. I can't tell you how many people look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them that our Prius is too big and too powerful for most of what I do with it. And then they hear that the Prius is our "big" car. Our SUV of the fleet. I don't know when we decided that every new model of every car had to be forever bigger. When we bought a new Civic that was significantly bigger than our older Accord, I know that we'd fallen through a wrinkle in time. Bravo for Toyota for keeping the exterior of the Prius about the same size as the last generation.... and I do think that the Prius size is an ideal middle ground for so many... but I agree with my new friend mcsj here: A smaller offering is just what the doctor ordered.

(Oh, and while we're at it, let's lose the gas engine to make more room for batteries. )

 

You have got to be kidding me.

First you come out and say you are considering a prius brand and leave it ambiguous. Then when pushed for clarification you call your own company's announcement a second hand report??

This is Not fun. Please give us an actual answer.

 

Casual use? We have hybrid (and full electric) container trucks. We have hybrid (and full electric) buses. We have hybrid (and full electric) locomotives. We have hybrid dirt-moving equipment

Not heavy duty enough? The harder we use hybrids and EVs, the more return we get on the investment.

 

Will there be a PRIUS/Prius, or PRIUS-Prius, or ...

 

It was not a public company announcement. It was written by a reporter who had a conversation with a dealer who attended a private Toyota dealer event. Therefore it is secondhand information.

While we can discuss many things here, one thing I am NOT at liberty to talk about is future product. That information is closely guarded and goes WAY above my lowly position. So, the best I can do is participate in the informed speculation that goes on around second-hand reports such as these. One step over the line for me, and bye-bye Prius Team!

(Actually on the issue of the sub-brand, you may be able to find another article that exactly quotes a Toyota person on the issue of whether we might go to market with a Scion-like dealer experience.)

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toytoa Motor Sales, USA

 

I was getting my wife's 2010 Prius serviced and overheard something about what the dealers heard and they are 'pumped.' I don't remember to much of the details but I got the impression of a spontaneous and quite enthusiastic reception by the dealers ... of course this was just the impression I got from accidental mumblings and otherwise

<Sgt. Schultz voice>"I know not-ink!"</Sgt. Schultz>
​

And I was hoping the 2010 would be our last new car.

Bob Wilson

 

as we all know, all plans are subject to change. look at the Pri plant in Mississippi. so any info right now is unlikely written in stone anyway.

i am glad to hear that Toyota is even contemplating the idea especially since many here have advocated the idea for years.

 

Dear Prius Team Santa,

As I can't afford the RAV4EV that come up on ebay, I would like a 2012 Prius RAV4 to go with my 2008 Prius, pleeeeeease!!

ray2:

 

Dear Doug Coleman,

By having a mid-size car as the only Prius model, your company is missing out on many markets. Given the dark mid-term economic outlook worldwide as well as the continuing urbanization throughout the world, a much smaller $14000 Prius-mini should be attractive to buyers.

A $30k Solara-like convertible should also have a strong market.

I don't particularly see what sort of market a Prius MR2 would aim at.

 

Prius n. 1. a vehicle designed with the primary goal of minimizing emissions and increasing fuel economy through the use of technology without compromising utility or reliability.

The keys are:
(1) Efficiency
(2) Utility
(3) Reliability

Don't compromise on the efficiency.
- All full hybrids. No mild hybrids.
- All form factors should have the PHEV option in the future.

Keep focus on what people really _need_.
- No SUVs. People get them and don't really need them. That's the opposite of utility. Stay clear.
- No sporty or sports cars. They are for fun. It's OK for Toyota to make one using the Prius platform, just don't call it a Prius at all.
- No sedans and no pick-ups. Stick to space-efficient shapes.
- No unreliability. Wherever the Prius vehicles are made they must always be seen as reliable in order for people to pay the hybrid premium.
- No BEVs. Prius is a hybrid. It doesn't have range problems.

Instead:
- Sub-compact/compact: in a few years my wife and I will only need 2 seats and either cargo or a very occasional passenger. Produce a 2+2 but don't sacrifice rear leg-room. Instead do some clever design and make it easy to switch between cargo and a rear passenger. Make sure it's comfortable and safe for the rear passenger when in a 2+1+cargo configuration. And a good flat surface in a 2+cargo configuration. If people really need 2+2+cargo they can buy a regular Prius.
- Family van: a 2+2+2. Like the 2+2, the rear seats fold to provide the cargo space
- Work van: an efficient vehicle for contractors. Same shape or slightly taller than the family van. No rear seats.

And then:
- All 4 form factors have the same controls and options. Drivers can switch smoothly from one form to the other. Great for 2 Prius families and for...
- Prius Rental. With a range of vehicles you can provide rental for different occasions. I know it's a bit contrary to the desire to up-sell, but it fits with the idea of the Prius being the hybrid you need. You buy what you need 99% of the time and then rent for the special occasion. The subcompact owner rents a mid-size or van, the mid-size owner rents the van. The reverse is true for the non-Prius owner. They rent for the special occasion and then, finding they like it , they buy what they need. A good rental service would also make it easier for drivers to take longer test drives. You are confident that the more they drive it the more they'll like it, right?

(Disclaimer: I've never even driven a Prius. But I think it's my next car because of its efficiency, low emissions and reliability. I'd be very disappointed if a test drive made me hate it.)

 

Well there is already a "Prius" truck, a real truck too not a toy.
All that will be required is a badge change.


HINO Australia - Models Hybrid

 

Great find! Thanks!

Price?

That is the perfect base to replace my wife's RV. It would also make a great trash collecting truck.

Can it be ordered with a hydraulic power system for the mechanicals?

The USA gets affordable Prius but this would be an awesome addition to the USA truck fleet.

Bob Wilson