Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Toyota Prius wagon, SUV in the works]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/report-toyota-prius-wagon-suv-in-the-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/report-toyota-prius-wagon-suv-in-the-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/report-toyota-prius-wagon-suv-in-the-works/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Toyota Hybrid X Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Exactly how the Prius name might shift from defining the world's most famous hybrid to its own sub-brand - "Not!" - or moniker for other Toyota hybirds - "Yes!" - has been a source of interest for quite some time. The latest bit of speculation comes from the Yomiuri newspaper in Japan (via Green Car Advisor) and says that Toyota is considering building a Prius sport wagon or a Prius SUV about 12 months from now, maybe using lithium-ion batteries (despite Toyota's public pronouncements). Toyota officials, however, would not comment to the Yomiuri about the report.

As we saw with the Hybrid X (above) unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007, Toyota has been thinking about a Prius wagon for a while. Green Car Advisor speculates that the the Venza could be a good candidate for the production wagon, while any of Toyota's JDM wagons could also make the transition to hybrids here. As for a Prius SUV? Tone down the Lexus RX 400h and there you go.


Gallery: Geneva Motor Show: Toyota Hybrid-X concept


[Source: Yomiuri via Green Car Advisor]

REPORT: Toyota Prius wagon, SUV in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>priusprius brandprius coupeprius hybridprius sport wagonprius SUVPriusBrandPriusCoupePriusHybridPriusSportWagonPriusSuvtoyota hybridtoyota priustoyota prius coupetoyota prius hybridToyotaHybridToyotaPriusToyotaPriusCoupeToyotaPriusHybridMon, 16 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[No, really: Toyota won't create seperate Prius brand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/no-really-toyota-wont-create-seperate-prius-brand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/no-really-toyota-wont-create-seperate-prius-brand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/no-really-toyota-wont-create-seperate-prius-brand/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The idea of a separate brand for the Toyota Prius has gone from "seriously considering" to "not a 'go'" to, now, "Um, no." That's the word from Miguel Fonseca, Toyota's managing director in the UK, who says that there won't be a Prius sub-brand.

However, Fonseca did say that the stork would be visiting the Prius factory to drop off other body styles, making a Prius family of vehicles. He wouldn't say what the body types were, but AutoCar speculation centers on an estate and an MPV to be unveiled in 2010, along with a coupe debuting the following year. As reported before, when the larger, frugal-er next gen Prius sedan arrives in about a year, it won't be packing lithium-ion batteries -- Toyota engineers say they're still not yet ready for prime-time.

[Source: AutoCar]

No, really: Toyota won't create seperate Prius brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternativehybridspriusprius brandprius sub brandPriusBrandPriusSubBrandsedanstoyotatoyota priusToyotaPriusWed, 26 Nov 2008 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota: Separate Prius brand not a 'go']]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/02/no-surprise-prius-rumors-dead/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/02/no-surprise-prius-rumors-dead/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/02/no-surprise-prius-rumors-dead/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for more images of the 2010 Toyota Prius

Rumors from LLN that a separate Prius brand are "a go" are actually nothing more than a maybe. According to Toyota's own blog, the automaker can confirm that it's considering a hybrid-only brand that would see separate space in dealerships -- much like what is already being done with the Scion brand -- but a final decision has not yet been made and Toyota's not even sure what products would fall under that new brand name, besides, of course, the Prius. Rumors, though, abound regarding new hybrids from Toyota, including Prius-like hatchbacks both a bit larger and a bit smaller than the current model alongside a hybrid price-leader to do proper battle with the new Honda Insight. Now, if they'd just address those rumors of an 80-mile-per-gallon Volt-fighting hybrid that have also been swirling around the interwebs...

Gallery: Confirmed: 2010 Toyota Prius


[Source: Toyota]

Toyota: Separate Prius brand not a 'go' originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 prius2010 toyota prius2010Prius2010ToyotaPriuspriusprius brandPriusBrandtoyota hybridtoyota priusToyotaHybridToyotaPriusSun, 02 Nov 2008 16:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota seriously considering separate Prius brand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/11/toyota-seriously-considering-separate-prius-brand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/11/toyota-seriously-considering-separate-prius-brand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/11/toyota-seriously-considering-separate-prius-brand/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



This isn't the first time we've heard that Toyota might spin off the Prius as a separate brand much like Scion. But we now have the most concrete news about the automaker's plans we've seen yet.

Micheline Maynard of The New York Times talked with James E. Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. recently who said he was actively lobbying Toyota for the Prius brand spinoff and that the company was working on future models to expand the lineup. Lentz said he was pushing for a Yaris-sized Prius and a "Prius on steroids." He wouldn't comment on rumors of a Prius crossover, however. Lentz also said the new line would be sold alongside Toyota vehicles instead of separately like the company's Lexus brand.

When might this new Prius brand be approved by Toyota? Lentz would only say that he has a meeting in Japan next month.

Maynard writes that in all her years covering Toyota, "...I can say that executives rarely talk this much about an idea unless it is under active discussion, so the chances of a Prius brand are probably pretty good."

[Source: The New York Times]

Toyota seriously considering separate Prius brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuelAlternativeFuelelectric carElectricCarhybridspriusprius brandPriusBrandsciontoyota hybridtoyota priusToyotaHybridToyotaPriusSat, 11 Oct 2008 11:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota considering Prius sub-brand, dealerships]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/17/toyota-considering-prius-sub-brand-dealerships/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/17/toyota-considering-prius-sub-brand-dealerships/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/17/toyota-considering-prius-sub-brand-dealerships/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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]

Toyota considering Prius sub-brand, dealerships originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevy voltChevyVolthonda insightHondaInsightprius brandprius dealerprius dealersprius dealershipprius sub brandPriusBrandPriusDealerPriusDealersPriusDealershipPriusSubBrandtoyota priusToyotaPriusWed, 17 Sep 2008 08:57:00 EST