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Toyota planning second hybrid brand

 
9 709 views Jun 24, 2007
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Toyota planning second hybrid brand

Toyota planning second hybrid brand

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Toyota is planning to launch a second dedicated hybrid brand in 2009 that will be sold alongside the current Prius and is expected to sell up to 100,000 cars per year. The information comes from Japanese newspaper The Nikkei, which also confirmed that Toyota is hoping that by 2010 its hybrid sales will top one million units annually.

The Prius itself will also come in for a major update. Toyota will in fact be releasing three new hybrid vehicles labelled the Prius A, B, and C, with the new models due in 2009, 2010, and 2011 respectively. Each of the cars will be in different size categories with each model getting its own unique styling.

We’ve previously reported on Toyota’s ambitious hybrid plans. The carmaker is so confident about the technology that its VP in charge of powertrain development Masatami Takimoto has stated that by 2020, hybrids will be the standard drivetrain and account for “100 percent” of Toyota’s cars.



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Comments (9)

  1. By MasterMechanic Posted: 6/25/2007 1:44am PDT

    Hybrids are the scam of the century. Not only do they not get the fuel economy they promise, they require new batteries at about 6 years/60K milesfor a about $7,000!
     
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  2. By HECTOR Posted: 6/25/2007 6:13am PDT

    I'm still undecided about the technology itself. What is certainly a scam is the whole *global warming* BS which has put the spotlight on the hybrids. They are seen as the saviors of the planet, a planet that doesn't need saving. My niece's Toyota Yaris gets almost as good mileage as a Prius without the pretentiousness.... and without the hidden costs mentioned by Mastermechanic...
     
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  3. By PassatLuva Posted: 6/25/2007 6:29am PDT

    I see where you\'re coming from Hector and Mechanic, but I find it hard to believe that Toyota hasn\'t thought of this. Are they really pulling the wool over our eyes? Would love to see a completely independent study on it.
     
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  4. By better mechanic Posted: 6/25/2007 8:07am PDT

    Actually, toyota offers a 100,000 mile warranty on the batteries. So, even if they do crap out at 60k, you can get them replaced... So, your "hidden costs" aren't really even an issue.
     
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  5. By MasterMechanic Posted: 6/25/2007 10:00pm PDT

    Hey, 'better mechanic' (whatever that means) the 100K warranty is a federal emmisions standard not a Toyota warranty. YOU SEE WHILE YOU'RE BUSY MAKING A POLLITICAL STATEMENT BY DRIVING A HYBRID SOMEONE ELSE WILL TAKE CARE OF DISPOSING YOUR BATTERIES FOR YOU. Probably in a nice nature preserve so they aren't disturbed while they decompose over the next 1,000 years.

    They haven't developed a battery to work for more than 4 years in my shaver let alone in a car that drives down a pothole ridden road! Furthermore, battery performance is not constant. It performs less efficiantly every day, by the time you reach 40K your mileage will be worse than it was at 10K because the battery won't hold the same charge.

    I'll remember to stay away from your shop.
     
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  6. By Toyota1 Posted: 7/26/2007 1:07am PDT

    The whole electric system is covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. The battery pack is $3200 dollars not $7000 better mechanic is right.
     
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  7. By Apex Alex Posted: 8/7/2007 8:14am PDT

    MM: "They haven’t developed a battery to work for more than 4 years in my shaver..."

    obviously, you deal with products that are FAR INFERIOR to what toyota uses and sells. over the TEN YEARS the prius has existed (in japan and elsewhere), there have been NO batteries reported to have worn out or failed so far.

    BETTER Mechanic is right.
     
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  8. By Mike Posted: 8/9/2007 8:39am PDT

    MM,

    Just drove a 2002 Prius with 110000 miles to Canada and got 52.4 mpg for the 3411 mile trip. Locally in the mountainsand hills of central VA I get 50+ mpg. Car has original batteries. Local dealers tell me there is no big problems with the batteries wearing out. Battery failure worry was probably oil company hype. I'm looking forward to the diesel/hybrid models being designed and the 65-70 mpg they will deliver.
     
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  9. By  Beaverton Auto Posted: 12/24/2009 1:05pm PST

    Toyota dominates the hybrid market. It makes sense to stratify their offerings with multiple brands.
     
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