Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Toyota, Rumormill
Toyota considering Prius sub-brand, dealerships
Click above image for more shots of the Toyota 1/X hybrid
There could soon come a day when you waltz into a local Prius dealership to purchase your next hybrid car. As Toyota did with the Scion brand, the Japanese giant is still said to be considering making an entirely new brand just for hybrids out of its popular Prius hatchback. We are certain to get a redesigned Prius after it debuts in Detroit in 2009, and after that, the rumormill indicates that a smaller hybrid model is on the way that would more closely compete with the new Honda Insight, which will undercut the standard Prius by a scooter-sized chunk of change. Toyota previewed a hybrid model powered by a smaller gas engine when it introduced the world to its 1/X concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. With a bit of mild speculation, we could envision a slightly larger model than the current Prius as a replacement for the Camry hybrid, giving Toyota a three-pronged answer to the likes of the Volt from GM and the Insight from Honda.
Gallery: Toyota 1/X Concept
[Source: Reuters]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chris 9:09AM (9/17/2008)
All the personality of a paper clip.
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ehisforadam 11:46AM (9/17/2008)
It looks like you're make a joke about how bland Toyotas are.
Would you like help?
*Crappy styling
*Lack of any exciting models
*Appliances on wheels
P.V. 7:21PM (9/17/2008)
@(both of above):
LOL! +1 -> infinity
Jim Mbongo 9:11AM (9/17/2008)
While the Chevy Volt is still a couple years away, it seems that Toyota already finds itself in a big trouble. This is very disapointing. Shame on you Toyota!.
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No Welfare for GM 9:21AM (9/17/2008)
How can you even compare the two? GM pays its CEO 16+ Million dollars a year to
#1 Lose Billions of Dollars each and every quarter
#2 Promote cars that are 3-4 or in some cases 5 years away
#3 Use every possible excuse to justify himself
#4 GM has managed to lose market share every year for last 10 years.
tankd0g 9:52AM (9/17/2008)
/sarcasm? or /clueless?
No Welfare for GM 10:11AM (9/17/2008)
@ Tank
TRUTH
Jim Mbongo 12:47PM (9/17/2008)
I respect your view on the subject. But I found it absolutely senseless. Your comments are totally out of the scope. Everything you said has nothing to do with the subject of the day. So, why waiste my time?
Shipey 9:23AM (9/17/2008)
How can anyone call the Volt ugly when this is Toyota's offering?
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CB 9:37AM (9/17/2008)
I couldn't care any less about how much money Toyota or GM make/lose. Toyota's profitable products are boring that sell based on lemming-like loyalty. Some of GM's money-losers are somewhat better (CTS, G8) but most are behind the curve design-wise or yet to be released. I don't buy a care based on whether it is profitable to the manufacturer. I buy them based on whether I like the car.
For the record, I'm looking at getting a '09 WRX.
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Bluestreak 10:12AM (9/17/2008)
Bump. Agreed.
However, the new softer WRX was a disappointment to me. I still like the spartan, round-headlight one the best, particularly as a hatchback. I think I'd sooner buy a turbo Outback with a manual and spend some cash on suspension upgrades, but that's partly b/c I have kids to haul around.
Bluestreak 9:56AM (9/17/2008)
A Prius sub-brand seems a waste of money to me. Why go through all that expense when you can just offer a subcompact hybrid under the Toyota nameplate? The name "Prius" may provide a bit of a halo effect, but people are more interested in hybrids, period. I don't think they care what name is on the trunk.
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Corey W. 9:58AM (9/17/2008)
I think it's a great idea... Hopefully they can come up with more cost effective way of starting another brand, compared to domestics. (i.e. the hassel and cost to cut Oldsmobile)
Styling has never been that great for Toyota, that's nothing new. Sorry but the Camry is still butt ugly.
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Todd 10:29AM (9/17/2008)
Ahhhh now we're getting somewhere. Volt release makes the competition heat up and prices start to fall!
There IS hope after all. Fingers crossed this continues industry wide, with the ultimate goal being a $10k electric car that plugs into the wall socket a night.
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Justin 11:14AM (9/17/2008)
Go ahead...mock the Volt now after that photo.
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Gary 11:32AM (9/17/2008)
It seems that Toyota is suffering from brand-itis. First in Toyota's quest for increased market share, Lexus did fine. Scion... although it was marketed towards the younger crowd, you see old people driving their practical boxes, souring the brand's youthful image. If the Prius-spinoff brand is established, where does that leave Toyota? Being perceived as gas guzzlers? The overlapping isn't going to work
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ehisforadam 11:51AM (9/17/2008)
I suspect this is more of a Japan-market thing. Toyota already has several types of dealerships in Japan for their different lines. If they had a separate Prius brand it'd probably be like what Buell is Harley-Davidson, a secondary dealership under the same roof.
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The Luigiian 11:55AM (9/17/2008)
I'm assuming it'll need more than one car style to sell a brand. That hatchback is going to get some hybrid siblings sooner than later.
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majortom1981 12:33PM (9/17/2008)
Can they make a scion hybrid please? I would buy one.
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:08PM (9/17/2008)
Another stupid idea from Toyota (if true). They're really on a roll lately.
Just get to work ramping up production.
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