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Toyota Officially Announces Prius Family

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Danny, Jan 11, 2010.

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  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    Today Toyota finally officially announced its intentions to market a family line-up of Prius hybrids. You probably read four months ago on PriusChat that Toyota had told its dealers about an idea to market a family of Prius hybrids, but Toyota was keeping quiet about the plan until today. No official models are being added to the family at this time, but expect to see the new FT-CH concept make it into the world as a Prius at some point in the near future. “The strategy is still taking shape and obviously it will require additional models to qualify as a family,” said Lentz. “Among others, the FT-CH is a concept that we are considering.” Also according to Toyota's press release, in the early 2010s, Toyota plans to sell a million hybrids per year globally, a majority of those in North America. To accomplish this, Toyota will launch eight all new hybrid models over the next few years. These will not include next generation versions of current hybrids; instead, they will be all new dedicated hybrid vehicles, or all new hybrid versions of existing gas engine models. Jim Lentz has been pushing the idea of a Prius subbrand for close to a year. At one point earlier this year, the idea appeared to be DOA. But now following the successful launch of the 2010 Prius and the industry-wide movement toward "green" technologies, the plan has a green light. Adding other models under the Prius badge could also save the Mississippi plant after sitting idle following construction.
     
    #1 Danny, Jan 11, 2010
  2. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

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    IDK how big it is or how long the wheelbase is but it looks quite substantial. I think it hits the 'more stylish' cue better than any other Toyota except the Venza at the moment. The side profile is significantly sportier than one would expect a 'Prius' to be.

    If it's not too small this might be the replacement for my 2005 in 3-4 yrs.
     
    #2 DeadPhish, Jan 11, 2010
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I've noticed the Scion line is withering on the vine but they have a nice collection of body styles. Hybrid the Scions would be an excellent first step then put a Camry hybrid drive in a minivan.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #3 bwilson4web, Jan 11, 2010
  4. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

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    From the release today...

    These all new models will be....
    1. We've probably seen the first. The FT-CH for the world market, AKA Insight II killer.
    2. Sienna hybrid or Prius MPV, or both depending on the market.
    3.
    4.
    5.
    6.
    7.
    8.

    That's a lot of new metal coming to market in this next 5 yr cycle, not to mention updates to the HH and TCH.
     
    #4 DeadPhish, Jan 11, 2010
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    The next couple of years will be very interesting. There will be a lot of hybrids to pick and choose from!
     
    #5 usbseawolf2000, Jan 11, 2010
  6. SureValla

    SureValla Member

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    This was my exact thought as well. Get me leather seats and I'm sold for sure.

    I was always unhappy the 2010 prius got larger. I thought my 2007 was big enough for sure. This looks like a perfect size.
     
    #6 SureValla, Jan 11, 2010
  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Added more to the list.
     
    #7 usbseawolf2000, Jan 11, 2010
  8. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Need a pickup truck too.
     
    #8 zenMachine, Jan 11, 2010
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Done... 3 more left.
     
    #9 usbseawolf2000, Jan 11, 2010
  10. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Perhaps a sedan, and a SUV or CUV.
     
    #10 zenMachine, Jan 11, 2010
  11. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Ok... how is that?
     
    #11 usbseawolf2000, Jan 11, 2010
  12. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    nice
    little bit smaller then the prius and a good look.
     
    #12 Flying White Dutchman, Jan 11, 2010
  13. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

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    I think that the A-bat or something like it has a good chance but the updates to the HH and TCH are above and beyond the 8 new dedicated models.

    Also I think that we might not get all of them. Most probably will come to NA but some may stay in Japan or certainly China.
     
    #13 DeadPhish, Jan 11, 2010
  14. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

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    Shouldn't the new electric be on this list?

    A-Bat was cancelled according to prior announcements, but I guess they could change their minds later.

    I would have considered any compact, hybrid or electric, or a Rav 4 hybrid, or the A-bat. You'd be hard pressed to talk me out of my Prius now though. My wife won't be giving up her Camry for anything either (other than maybe, a Rav 4 hybrid).
     
    #14 ggood, Jan 11, 2010
  15. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    1. FT-Ch/Yaris
    2. Corolla Hybrid
    3. Rav4 Hybrid
    4. Sienna Hybrid
    5. ES Hybrid
    6. IS Hybrid
    7. Lexus dedicated hatch hybrid LF-Ch
    8. ?

    ;-)
     
    #15 spwolf, Jan 11, 2010
  16. Rickster

    Rickster Junior Member

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    Not sure "killer" is the right word, as the Insight II seems all but DOA to begin with. :)

    Regardless, an inexpensive smaller Prius is very good news. I was hoping this week's news would be of a new production car with a definite model year, though... hopefully this moves from concept to production quickly, but the FT-CH they're showing today has a very "concepty" look to it.
     
    #16 Rickster, Jan 11, 2010
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    hmm? The 2010 isn't bigger. It's roughly the same size. Same height, barely 1 inch wider and barely 1 inch longer (could just a bigger side mirror and different bumpers that could account for those extras).

    hmm...

    3. ESh
    4. Auris Hybrid
    5. LF-Ch
    6. Matrix Hybrid
    7. RAV4 Hybrid
    8.Unnamed dedicated hybrid
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Jan 11, 2010
  18. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    No CUV! Prius = efficient utility. A crossover != utility, != efficient. Get a wagon, or a hatchback. I'd rather see a Prius SUV. However, I'd rather not see a Prius SUV or truck. I'd be happy to see Toyota push efficiency on them but by concentrating on efficient diesel (with OEM support for biodiesel that allows it easily to be used in cold environments) and diesel-hybrid. Come up with another name for that family and make sure it's still about efficient utility: you buy it because you need, you buy Toyota because it's the best and most efficient. Then Prius can be keep marching towards towards plug-in and BEV and "Toughus" can move towards fully hybrid-diesel and neither is compromised. And no sedans. Trunks are wasteful.
     
    #18 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Jan 12, 2010
  19. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    One advantage of an SUV or CUV is the high clearance.
     
    #19 zenMachine, Jan 12, 2010
  20. gt1948

    gt1948 Junior Member

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    Does this mean we will see a coupe for 2011? I am a Scion xB owner currently and want to get the Prius V. A coupe would be super
     
    #20 gt1948, Mar 1, 2010
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