Toyota ups Prius production plans again?
70 percent increase in production?If you've spent any time shopping for hybrid cars, then you know most hybrids are in very limited supply. Fortunately, in 2009 there will be some relief, at least for consumers interested in the Toyota Prius. The latest rumors claim that Toyota will increase Prius production by 70 percent.
Just a few months ago, Toyota suggested a 60 percent increase in production, so this number doesn't seem out of line. If correct, such a jump in production means that Toyota will be producing almost one half million Prius hybrids per year. Nonetheless, with the third generation Prius due out next year, even a half million Prii might not be enough.
Despite the mockery of hybrid critics just a few short years ago, Toyota's long claimed goal of achieving 1,000,000 hybrid sales per year early this decade now seems easily inevitable. So, how does that egg on your face taste, haters?
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
7:27 AM
9 Comments:
Yes and they jacked up the prices just before announcing increased production...very smart...way to go for all the smart sucker consumers out there...run along to your Toyota dealers everyone...they have a prostate exam wait for you all.
well the next generation prius is going to offer better performance, more size and better fuel economy. so, i'm not yet making a judgment about the value of the next generation prius.
still, other than not buying a new vehicle, what better options are there?
Don't buy now! Wait until 2010 to buy a new car when so many new super efficient new cars hit the market. Don't get caught in payments on today's technology.
Well, I pretty much agree Mike, unless dealers are willing to negotiate below MSRP. Since that seems extremely doubtful, I too would wait.
The most efficient cars will run off of electricity. All of the carmakers are in development on EVs and plug-in hybrids. The first cars are coming to market toward the end of 2009. What we at Plug In America advise is to tell your car dealer, "No Plug - No Deal".
If you buy a new car today, you'll regret not waiting for the EVs that are far superior to gas.
I've been driving a Toyota RAV4 EV for almost 6 years on kWh I generate from the sunlight falling on my 3 kW solar system. My car has been driven over 61,000 miles and not once have I been to a gas station since I bought it. My electric bill for last year was a mere $44.08. That covered my house and my car for the whole year.
At this rate, my solar system will have paid for itself in under 8 years, but will last at least 50 years. And none of my money goes to the oil companies, or by extension, the Saudis.
Electric vehicles are definitely coming, and they will completely change the economics of driving the world over.
Paul Scott
Plug In America
www.pluginamerica.org
Paul,
That's great...but not everyone can live like you. For one, you have a home where you can use a solar panel system. For example, I cannot. I rent and live in an apartment. So what do I do short of sticking myself into a $2500/month mortgage for the next 30 years so I can install a solar panel and run an EV?
I'd also love to wait for an EV but where do I charge it?
And just for the sake of clarity...money going to the Saudis is money going back to the US corps and whoever else who has the US government lobbied out. The Saudis don't work alone...you can bet on that.
I understand that not everyone can use solar, but those who can, should, and those who can't should sign up with their utility for renewable energy so there is no pollution associated with running their house, and eventually their car.
As for the infrastructure for charging an EV, over 60% of Americans currently park their car at night within easy reach of a 110V plug. For the rest, several companies are producing charging systems that will become ubiquitous as the plug-in vehicles roll out.
No car is perfect for everyone, That's why there are over 200 choices available. I don't need a giant pick up truck, but my brother does.
The important thing to remember is that for every EV that replaces a gas car, that means everyone's air is cleaner, there is less demand for oil so everyone's gas price goes down and there is less demand for oil that we buy from our enemies, so there is less need to fight wars for oil.
WE JUST HAD A QUAKE!!! COOL!
Paul-
The government really should incentivize solar power for every home-owning EV and PHEV owner. Solar can work in basically every US state, Germany has proven that and the technology is so much more developed than when Germany started its solar quest.
Ultimately, both the EV and solar revolutions have great potential to happen very fast - with the right incentives, but America seems light years away from such incentives.
Inevitably, I'd argue the path needs to be driven by consumer incentives, not corporate incentives that always seem to lead to minimal results at great costs. Yet, corporations and their cronies in Congress won't let this happen.
If consumers had great incentives to buy EVs and solar panels, I'd bet corporations would quickly rush to meet that demand. Instead, today, consumers are waiting for corporations - many of which need to be bailed out by consumer taxes.
Thus, I don't see either the EV or solar revolutions happening very fast. There just aren't the right incentives and those with the political power don't want such incentives.
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