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Will the Prius Die in 5 years?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by geguia, Dec 26, 2017.

  1. geguia

    geguia Active Member

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    Interesting article on Jalopnik.

    Chevy Volt may be gone in 5 years due to GM offering Hybrids and electric on all their vehicles.

    This is a rumor but it does make sense where technology is going.

    Hybrid electrics will be embraced many car manufacturers.

    Thus where does that leave the Prius in the future?
     
  2. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    I think the Prius would still be in the game, for the foreseeable future.

    And that depends on manufacturers deciding what would be their profitable revenue stream.

    Dxta
     
  3. Prius EV. Simple. Could still go under alternate names to differentiate between demographics.

    Same thing for Camry EV... you get the idea, the name isn't going away in five years.
     
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  4. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    Never...they will have to pry the Prime from my cold dead fingers.
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I don't see the imperative for Prius to become pure electric, I'm even hohum about plug-in: hybrid is just fine. If Toyota could just give their collective head a shake, regarding some of their recent design decisions, but I'm guessing that's not on.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the way prius sales are going, i wouldn't be surprised.
    tech marches on, get over it.
     
  7. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Toyota no longer sells new:
    • Gen-1 Prius
    • Gen-2 Prius
    • Gen-3 Prius
    • Scion
    Bob Wilson
     
  8. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    Hmmm. I just kinda hope, they don't continue the list to gen4s either.
     
  9. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Toyota seems to offer two tiers of hybrids.

    1) Very capable hybrid versions of almost all its cars and SUVs. They add increased fuel mileage to sensible vehicles.

    2) The Prius stresses very high MPG and cutting edge sustainability, pollution controls, and technology at the cost of some user comforts.

    I see no reason why increased 1) should eliminate 2) over the short term. If all aspects of hybrid technology become completely known, then the Prius would just be a brand.
     
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    No because the Prius is their platform for showcasing hybrid technology.

    If the Prime is a sales success (however they interpret a "success"), then the Gen 5 Prius will probably be all plug-in only, no hybrid.
     
  11. shrinktubing

    shrinktubing New Member

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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    all plug in hybrid will really shrink sales, if that's what they're looking for.
     
    #12 bisco, Dec 27, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2017
  13. ct89

    ct89 Active Member

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    1) Why would it be in Toyota's interest to make pure-EVs vs. Hybrids? Maybe once large batteries are cheaper than ICEs to build and they can get the same profit per vehicle.
    2) Why would it be in my best interest to buy a pure-EV vs. a Hybrid? Maybe once charging stations are within a few miles of my route and I can fully charge in a few minutes and get several hundred miles range between charging.

    My real question is what cool things would Toyota be able to do if there was no ICE that they can't do with a Hybrid. Yea, they could put a spare tire where the gas tank is but we already have a thread proving only half the people care.

    From a users perspective, I find very little inconvenience in the Hybrid compared to the benefits but acknowledge that the gap is narrowing and eventually it is possible it will go to zero. I want to drive mostly on EV but I never want to worry about making it to my next charge and I drive lots of places where that will be a problem for the foreseeable future.
     
  14. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    2) As a second vehicle, an EV could be a better option if your normal driving is within the EV range and the cost per mile for EV is less than a similar Hybrid or ICE model.
     
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  15. ct89

    ct89 Active Member

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    Yes, absolutely agree. Most times I would go outside of EV range, I would probably know and could take a non-EV-only vehicle.
     
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    And if your situation is "one vehicle", then electric-only is going to hobble you. The Status quo is good, using electric-only for corporate and infrastructure vehicle which have a set route, well within the electric limits.

    My take, is that maybe Toyota has lost track of their Prius "audience", is cutting corners, eroding function, substituting flash for function.
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    other than looks, you're not happy with gen 4?