Toyota is betting big on the growing family of Prius

It is better late than never, Toyota is preparing the introduction of a second hybrid Prius to the name to the American market. It is expected that this step be followed by the introduction of the whole "family" lingerie Prius menu.

Some skeptics warn that the strategy could end up marketing to consumers. Toyota planners argue that well known and widely accepted name will help sell a new Prius hybrid menu for purchase of housing, who proved to be surprisingly reluctant to adopt fuel-saving technology, even if gasoline prices nudging record levels.

"We saw at the place where [the different models of dubbed] Prius could lead Toyota sales in the US," said Ed LaRoque, the Japanese automaker in the US, the head of the marketing of hybrid

Prius already account for about half of the hybrid electric vehicle sold in the us as a result of the March of the disaster in Japan, which seriously hampered car production in that market, diminish the supply of hard.

American car dealers, usually have anywhere from 30 to 60 days for cars, but the so-called "delivery days" for the original Prius is currently about four days, he warned.

In some ways, it would be Toyota's Prius when it comes to the market in October, estimated at around two months later than originally planned.

While sales of other hybrids actually slipped in recent months, a huge brand recognition and pent-up demand to send buyers to nothing with the ring of Prius as soon as it starts.

Initial reviews were generally favourable for the new model. Accepts the proposal for a longer, larger and wider car like, in particular, which offers more interior space than the Prius and "classic" and a number of new features. Among them are highly energy-efficient "green" audio system, the selection of two different navigation system upgrades and radar-guided cruise control.

The added space and functions will be the buyer of the sacrifice of some of the original Prius fuel consumption, which the EPA rates in 51 mpg city and highway 48 to the year 2011 model. In the Prius, which will be in 2012, will be evaluated on the 44 Highway, 40 city.

Both models share the same system of Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive, with only slight changes to the propellant electric on the Prius in its size and weight.

Some surprising, Toyota decided to adopt advanced lithium-ion battery system when LaRoque echoes a general industry feel that the "lithium-ion is the future".

Nickel metal hydride battery cleared will be Toyota's emergency third new hybrid model, enter the tags in the tags, the Prius (C), to start next year. If means "universal", will be the next model of cheap and compact member of the family, the smaller size classes, and probably thousands of dollars less than the original.

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At this time next year we will be also in the introduction of the Toyota the first plug-in hybrid version of the classic, the Prius, which will migrate to lithium power.

That offer is already controversial, because it is planned to provide only 13 miles PRODUCTION EVS before switching to the internal combustion engine. Toyota's arch-rival, General Motors, has provided its Chevrolet Volt plug-ins series 38 miles. GM says that it is to meet the daily needs of about 70 percent of u.s. commuters by car. It allows for weeks – even months – without the introduction of the fuel tank.

Prius Plug-in will cover a much smaller part of population. Due to its already impressive mileage will likely yield further fuel savings, at best, from US $ 1 per day. But it is also expected to be worth thousands of dollars less than Volta. And it will be bearing a Prius badge.

But it's a sure bet? Not everyone agrees.

"Likely to cause confusion with a Prius in C and other models, much as did the Lincoln MKS and calls its models MKZ and sales," said analyst Aaron Bragman of IHS, advice

A counterargument, he added quickly, it 's, "that could be the new standard," if Toyota can "build on the reputation of" the original and the candidates to make sure that all the different Prii (plural of Prius, as suggested by the owners) are above the competition.

Like many observers, analysts expect that the demand for battery-based vehicle be closely linked to what happens with the fuel economy standards here and abroad. A recent study by J.D. Power and Associates, claimed that all forms of electric vehicles — from basic hybrid plug-ins for battery electric vehicles--will not be the top 7 percent by the year 2020. Other experts have a number as high as 20 percent and still further if the Obama administration moves forward with the Federal distance proposed 56 mpg standard for the year 2025.

Beautiful, Bragman believes are products which, as well as the original Prius and other models, which says, Toyota will be only hybrid or on the basis of the battery.

It seems others are buying into this argument. Ford has plans for a gasoline version of the C-Max '' machine people "and it will launch next year exclusively in the form of Electrified the buyer the choice of standard hybrid or plug-in version.

"It's our Prius fighter," he said, that the global marketing director Jim Farley, Ford showed the study argues that the American manufacturer, the model should be visually distinct, it will be their own, such as hybrid, clean and green at the drive in.

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