Will a new Prius hit the streets in 2008?
Will lithium delay the next Prius?Only about a month ago Toyota finally confirmed that lithium would power the third generation Prius, set to hit the streets in 2008 as a 2009 model - as well as the rest of its hybrid vehicles.
In the last few weeks, however, rumors in Japan have claimed that Toyota was putting lithium batteries on hold.
Thus far, Toyota has not responded, which seems quite odd.
--> Finish: Will a new Prius hit the streets in 2008?
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
12:51 PM
1 Comments:
Full Story
Only about a month ago Toyota finally confirmed that lithium would power the third generation Prius, set to hit the streets in 2008 as a 2009 model - as well as the rest of its hybrid vehicles.
In the last few weeks, however, rumors in Japan have claimed that Toyota was putting lithium batteries on hold.
Thus far, Toyota has not responded, which seems quite odd. How could multiple executives announce that lithium would power a car that has given incredible PR to Toyota, then just a few weeks later consider delaying the use of lithium?
If lithium has to be delayed, will it delay the launch of the third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive? Would Toyota just keep using NiMH batteries? Perhaps Toyota will launch a city Prius - a smaller Prius designed for extreme fuel efficiency - in the interim, just to keep the buzz alive?
Maybe all the rumors are just rumors?
In places like Southern California, where the Prius is the top selling vehicle at some Toyota dealerships, the hype around the third generation Prius is growing rapidly. If this vehicle lives up to the hype, it will have an unbelievable impact on the future of Toyota's hybrid cars. It will also, once and for all, silence the hybrid critics.
A major delay, however, will definitely stymie Toyota's hybrid plans while giving every other automaker time to catch up.
Post a Comment
<< Home