To feed the insatiable demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, and follow the striking success of the Toyota Prius, the Japanese automaker will introduce a second hybrid-only vehicle in 2009. The all-new model will have a 2- to 2.5-liter engine, suggesting it will be larger than their current popular four-door hybrid (the Prius uses a 1.5-liter gasoline powerplant). The new model will be sold side-by-side with the Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid. Toyota will also sell a rebadged version under the upscale Lexus brand, where it will join the LS Hybrid, GS Hybrid, and RX Hybrid. Toyota's master plan is to sell 1 million hybrid vehicles annually throughout the world, and considering the market, there's little doubt that the automaker can pull it off. Toyota's next hybrid debut is scheduled for Detroit in January, and we'll be there to cover it.
[Source: Daily Times]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Vintage @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:32PM
Hybrids are NOT the solution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooN9INJxxy4
Kumail @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:11PM
watched that video, and it really changed how i think. more people should watch that.
AMcA @ Jul 22nd 2008 7:46PM
I dunno. On a recent Prius rental, we got . . . drum roll. . . a whole 33 mpg for mixed highway and city driving. I wasn't impressed.
And I'm convinced that a lot of the high mileage claims come from people who drive very carefully. I think that's the chief virtue of the Prius: it inspires one to drive carefully. And, the way that little box handles, you have to. No driving enjoyment allowed.
mike @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:32PM
Let the hate statements begin.
Prius is so uncool, i'd rather drive Oldsmobile, it's so uncool i'd rather drive Lincoln.
BlackCanary @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:46PM
Actually, depending on one's relative perspective part of the initial success of the Prius was due to it being cool. Hollywood types actually made the ugly ducking a pretty cool little car.
Now it is more than appearance that make the Prius a cool choice. With expensive gas and the Prius being roomy and utilitarian and resonably priced many families think the Prius is pretty cool.
Now on looks alone the Prius is quite lame indeed but beauty is more than skin deep....as they say.
darkangelism @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:28PM
@AMcA
33mpg? that seems really low, i have a gen 1 prius and i avg 36 when i did 90mph for an hour straight, which should give me the worst possible milage cause the engine cant keep up that pace.
Torrent @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:45PM
The Lexus won't have a stronger engine than the new Toyota, so why get one over the Toyota? Besides stuff like a Lexus Badge, they'll probably be mechanically the same.
BlackCanary @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:50PM
Also, when you add the things that make a Lexus a Lexus..ie luxury stuff, wont the added weight sort of deminish the initial point of the Prius?
I can see the Lexus using newer higher end tech to be more capable, more exclusive, (maybe better looking) and demand a higher cost for the badge, exclusivity, and newer tech.
Or maybe it will be a fancy Prius with a L badge. Worked for the first Escalade.
tankd0g @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:10PM
The Lexus dealership experience is a good deal less slimey than the Toyota one. I think that's what most people buy the rebadges for.
Joe @ Jul 22nd 2008 3:30PM
For the same reason people buy an Infiniti over a Nissan or an Acura (before they got ugly) over a Honda - appearance (probably bigger wheels/tries, less plastic) and interior amenities. Maybe a little more soundproofing too.
Also, not all Lexus' are re-badged Toyotas.
The engine isn't everything you know.
John P. @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:48PM
I want to know if it comes standard with an "I Won in 2000" bumper sticker?
BlackCanary @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:55PM
Please Prius and Hybrid popularity has very little to do with climate change. If gas was still $1.50 or even $2.50 a gallon people would still be buying SUVs and making fun of the Prius. The Prius is a hit because of fuel cost. It gets great MPG in a roomy package that has more social credibility than a econo box.
mk @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:50PM
Dang, that pictured thing is ugly. Is that even a car?
Daniel @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:50PM
Which company is going to offer a full size family sedan that gets 80 MPG? Gee, the big 3 could just sell the cars they built 15 years ago under the DOE funded Program for a New Generation of Vehicles?
No - that would make too much sense.
Johnny @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:57PM
Look at it this way,
If you are a Hick, redneck, warmongering, global warming is a hoax, liberals are anti-american, and think the commandment that says dont kill another human being should be ignored,
then you need to love hybrids.
Why?
Because the more people buy fuel efficient small cars the less resources these people use. And the less resources the more for people like you. These people will cut demand for oil and with the accompanying price drop you can drive your F-450 to the mall.
Let them sell small and fuel efficient cars in the end those that buy them will be happy and also those that hate them.
mk @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:19PM
As opposed to being a tolerant, accepting, liberal?
Nice diatribe, and thanks for undercutting your own point.
BlackCanary @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:22PM
so basically you are saying let the market decide what is popular. I agree, you buy what you want, I will buy what I want, Torrent will buy a Camaro and we are all happy!
P.V. @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:23PM
Wow, I never thought of it that way (seriously)! +1
BlackCanary @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:25PM
Also - Who is not LETTING car companies sell small fuel efficiant cars? There is no comspiracy other than lack of interest when fuel was cheap. Now that costs are a problem small cars are becoming more popular. It is really is not any more complicated than that.
MajorGeek @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:48PM
Had to read your comment like 3 times to make sense out of it. Overall, your correct. I have been watching and waiting for this... As people in here repeatedly jumped into thread after thread to complain that gas would be 6 dollars by summers end, we now have oil dropping (due to low demand) and gas prices at the pump even in a state like NY have not gone up overall in weeks. Joe Average has made it abundently clear that he or she will not pay 4.25 a gallon and continue to travel or even keep their SUV at that price. It seems the message is through, now lets see if oil can finally start coming down. Hopefully if it does, automakers continue their trend of making more fuel efficient vehicles (screw hybrids) and the average consumer remembers they should buy them and how much money they can save.