CR knocks Volt, praises Prius

Toyota succeeded in one major marketing aspect in regards to their hybrids. They are relatively easy for the consumer to understand in regards to MPG. For the Prius this is a huge bonus, 50 MPG, easy to translate to the customer (it is so easy that is also makes it easy to dismiss hybrids like the 20 MPG LS 600h L).

The Volt and Leaf are much more complicated for the average consumer to understand. Lets be real here, most are not going to break out an excel spreadsheet and calculate savings. They want to know MPG and is it easy to use.

Toyota succeeded here. I don't think GM or Nissan has done with explaining the MPG or how to use their vehicles. To me there is way to much HYPE here, the hype beast.

The Prius is also quite useful, the Volt is a 4 seater which is just silly.

 

Many pages ago, someone mentioned that the prius lacks competition currently and in the future.

Not true. The focus hybrid will be good competition.

Ford and Nissan both have HSD. The licensing fees go overseas to toyota...

Supposedly ford has altered their system enough to get around most of the bill. From what I hear, they are doing well.

 

The key is to get the consumer to realize the usefulness of the vehicle that meets their needs. Most people in America live in concentrated areas and do not travel far. An EV with an 80mi range is ok, one with a 120mi range would be golden. The amount of trips made past this range in a year's time could be counted on one hand. Short trips of 5mi or less are hard on a hybrid, they just don't have time to warm up, mpg suffers. Why have an ICE in the mix if an EV will meet your needs with less complication?

 

Reasonable, but you are ignorring the most important factor for a car owner: the psychological factor. Call it sense of freedom or range anxiety or whatever... no matter if the long trips can be counted on one hand or two hands.
The car is expected to be ready at all times to any unexpected demand.

Giora.

 

I take it you are waiting for the car that can never break down ?

 

No, but I feel realy frustrated when it does... don't you?

 

The fear that you are talking about is what has put America into the spread eagle position that it is in. I call it living in a dream world instead of living the dream.

 

I'm not sure any money changes hands. Last I knew, Ford and Toyota cross-licensed HSD and some Ford engine technology.

Tom

 

Qbee, were details ever made public ?

 

This^^^. Ford was well into developing it's own version of the THS ( FHS ) when the two competitors decided to 'play nicely together' and not to file patent suits against one another.

Nissan OTOH clearly paid Toyota for the usage of the HSD system while they ( Nissan ) were developing their own.

Without going into specific details Toyota clearly stated on its hybrid website back a few years that Ford did not buy or license the complete THS system.

As I understand it both companies discovered that they were building the same system but Toyota was somewhat advanced. Toyota allowed Ford to use some of its developed engineering in exchange for Ford allowing Toyota to use some Ford's develped engineering on pickup trucks. This was early last decade when the Tundra was thought to a huge money maker.

[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Escape[/ame]

 

"Without going into specific details Toyota clearly stated on its hybrid website back a few years that Ford did not buy or license the complete THS system. "

That leaves a *lot* of ambiguity.

 

Isn't it interesting Toyota never did RAV4 HSD? They have Highlander Hybrid but not RAV4. I assume it was part of the deal.

 

as far as imho, i think ford paid nice money for it and they have written that PR so ford owners would not feel bad while driving ford hybrids.... it vaguely says something about cross licensing on some diesel tech (which Toyota does in house anyway, and concerns european systems, not pickup ones).

i also dont think it has anything to do with Rav4, as Toyota would never forbid themselves from doing Rav4... Rav4 HSD is widely rumored to be happening in 2012 when next generation Rav4 is out.

HH was probably thought as better option since it shares its drivetrain with RXh, so it is two flies with one hit kind of thing.

 

I wonder if Toyota HSD diagnostic codes are the same as the Ford. For that matter, if Fords can be troubleshooted with Toyota instruments.

 

And there may always be a place for NiMH batteries. Or it may be a gradual phase out. We will see.

 

no way

 

Thank you for the PNGV link. It was very interesting reading...now as gas prices soar we can all fully regret the death of the Supercar.

 

You are welcome. Perhaps you have read it but this is the story of Prius from the other side of the ocean.