Comments on: Toyota Goes on the Offensive with Its Hybrids

By: tapra1

tapra1 — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:57:26 +0000

As the company celebrates big sales numbers for the just-released third-generation Prius in Japan, it is also fighting a publicity campaign in the US against competing green car technologies.Top Web Hosting

By: ilikflhyb

ilikflhyb — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:15:48 +0000

One more minor thing to add ....

The 2010 Prius is actually for sale .... now .... I test drove one. Yes, it's a little like an 'appliance' and has maybe numb steering or doesn't cut up the corners like a sport car, but does the average driver care in urban traffic anyway? No.

So, the minority will spring for sporty cars.

Again, the 2010 Prius has been selling in the SF Bay Area since 5/28/09. It's not some Volt that might go on sale end of the calender year 2010. Sad to say, but that seems to be the case.

By: ilikflhyb

ilikflhyb — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:10:11 +0000

What Chevy Volt? When? Will it be any good? It's all just talk, man.

Toyota has been selling the Prius, successfully since 1997 in Japan. It is the best selling hybrid ever. I've driven a 2009 for about 10 months, and it is fairly good. Needs more power and I had to remount the seat for long legs.

The 2010 Prius has 24 more HP and much, much better front seats, really good.

Anyone here (in their right mind) think the all-new Prius will not be the most common hybrid from here forward?

Doesn't matter what people say or surmise, the all-new Prius will be the most successful hybrid and will surpass the Gen2 by far. Like it or not, it's here folks.

By: Itman

Itman — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:51:39 +0000

I think a lot of folks including the author of the article are missing the point that Toyota is saying. Right now - now - PHEV or PEV is not really worth it.
I thought that Toyota was always looking into the future. That is why they started producing hybrids (in 1998) when the gas prices were $1 per gallon in US and $2 per gallon in Japan and Europe.
It looks like Toyota is not that progressive any more. Pity.

By: Shines

Shines — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:10:17 +0000

I think a lot of folks including the author of the article are missing the point that Toyota is saying. Right now - now - PHEV or PEV is not really worth it. Right now the only highway drivable pev is the $100000+ Tesla. Right now its batteries will cost $36000 to replace after 7 years. $36000 / 10 (dollars a gallon) = 3600 gallons X 50 (miles a gallon in a Prius) = 180000 miles. That is a huge difference in miles and that's at $10.00 a gallon. If by the time the Volt arrives next year the Lithium ion (or any newer technology) becomes more viable I am sure Toyota (and Honda and Ford) will be jumping on the bandwagon with plug ins of their HEVs. And like the Ford Fusion hybrid which can go for several miles in electric only mode already, the parallels may be able to adjust the battery only range and performance to achieve 40 miles in electric before the gas engine kicks in. I am not saying anything bad about the Volt here. When it arrives it may be the best choice for many drivers. But right now it looks like Ford, Toyota and Honda are offering the most reasonable fuel efficient choices.

By: Itman

Itman — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:48:34 +0000

Simon,
It is indeed a series hybrid. Extended range vehicle is a marktingees coming from General Motors. When the battery is below x percent, the engine kicks and rotate the generator. The electric current is going directly to the wheels. In parallel, it also charages the battery making sure it is being charged on the level around x percent and has enough energy to help the gasoline engine. This is needed because the gasoline engine is not powerful enough to accelerate the car properly. It is a silly idea to say that the generator only charges the battery, which feeds the wheels. Because it is simply not efficient.

By: usbseawolf2000

usbseawolf2000 — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:54:22 +0000

Richard Healer,

Which Honda hybrid do you have? Does it has a manual transmission or CVT?

By: sean t

sean t — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:14:43 +0000

Good post, usbseawolf2000.

By: simon@aus

simon@aus — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:54:29 +0000

But it is still a series hybrid – technically, I mean.
Calling it a range extended vehicle was something I didnt pick up on untill just now. It does make clearer, the notion that the car is designed primarily to be battery powered. After the battery juice is gone, you might as well drive home slowly – your on ‘range extended’ mode. A bit like not having a full sized spare tyre: if your primary tyre blows, and you put on the weight saver – just drive home.

In Australia I think we do drive more than 40 miles quite often

By: richard HEALER

richard HEALER — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:22:11 +0000

I JUST HAD TO REPLACE MY HONDA HYBRID MAIN BATTERY FOR $3000.00 AND NOW HAVE ONLY A WARRANTY FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12000 MILES. WHAT A BARGIN THAT IS. NEVADA EATS UP BATTERIES. NO ONE TALKS ABOUT THAT 1111 IT LASTED ONLY 6 YRS. ONLY 2 TIMES LONGER THAN THE REGULAR BATTERY. ANY PRESENT TYPE OF BATTERY WILL NOT LAST HERE.