Toyota exec gets mad about next Prius delay rumors
10-25-07, 10:24 PM
#1
Speaks French in Russian
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Toyota exec gets mad about next Prius delay rumors
Toyota exec gets mad about next Prius delay rumors
http://www.egmcartech.com/2007/10/25...-delay-rumors/
Watch out, it’s Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto (sounds like he can kick your ***), and he seems pretty angry. What is he mad about? Well you remember that report by the Wall Street Journal, that the next-generation Toyota Prius will be delayed due to safety problems with the lithium-ion battery?
Takimoto denied that there is any delays on the next-generation Prius and said that everything is going smoothly. He also said that the next-generation Prius won’t need a lithium-on battery since the nickel-metal battery is well-suited for the car and that the popular hybrid car can offer better mileage just by improving its parts and motor.
“I never said there was any delay,” Takimoto told The Associated Press at the reception for the Tokyo Motor Show. “Work on the next-generation Prius and work on the next-generation lithium-ion battery are both moving forward according to our plan,”
Takimoto declined to give any dates on exactly when the next-generation Prius will come out.
Takimoto said that lithium-on batteries are better suited for other cars such as a plug-in hybrid.
The advantages of the lithium-ion battery, how it’s rechargeable and packs more power in a smaller size, will be “more fun” in a plug-in or an electric car, he said.
Takimoto denied that there is any delays on the next-generation Prius and said that everything is going smoothly. He also said that the next-generation Prius won’t need a lithium-on battery since the nickel-metal battery is well-suited for the car and that the popular hybrid car can offer better mileage just by improving its parts and motor.
“I never said there was any delay,” Takimoto told The Associated Press at the reception for the Tokyo Motor Show. “Work on the next-generation Prius and work on the next-generation lithium-ion battery are both moving forward according to our plan,”
Takimoto declined to give any dates on exactly when the next-generation Prius will come out.
Takimoto said that lithium-on batteries are better suited for other cars such as a plug-in hybrid.
The advantages of the lithium-ion battery, how it’s rechargeable and packs more power in a smaller size, will be “more fun” in a plug-in or an electric car, he said.
10-26-07, 06:53 AM
#2
Cutting Cost
Toyota Cutting Cost of Prius
Contrary to earlier reports claiming Toyota’s next-gen Prius would be delayed because of fears that the new lithium-ion technology was unsafe, development of the third Prius series is well underway according to a top Toyota official. Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto confirmed today that Toyota will be sticking with nickel-metal hydride batteries and that the earlier reports were false, however he was unwilling to give a release a date for the new car.
Another Toyota exec, Kazuo Okamoto, told reporters from the Associated Press the new Prius will be radically different to its predecessors and will be differentiated from Toyota’s regular fleet thanks to distinct styling - for example through a unique front grille.
Okamoto conceded that diesel offered better mileage during highway driving than comparable hybrid vehicles but boasted the next-generation of Toyota hybrids will be more efficient than diesels in both city and highway driving.
He also claimed the cost and size of the hybrid drivetrain will be cut by half, which would allow Toyota to reach its goal of offering hybrid options across its entire lineup.
Contrary to earlier reports claiming Toyota’s next-gen Prius would be delayed because of fears that the new lithium-ion technology was unsafe, development of the third Prius series is well underway according to a top Toyota official. Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto confirmed today that Toyota will be sticking with nickel-metal hydride batteries and that the earlier reports were false, however he was unwilling to give a release a date for the new car.
Another Toyota exec, Kazuo Okamoto, told reporters from the Associated Press the new Prius will be radically different to its predecessors and will be differentiated from Toyota’s regular fleet thanks to distinct styling - for example through a unique front grille.
Okamoto conceded that diesel offered better mileage during highway driving than comparable hybrid vehicles but boasted the next-generation of Toyota hybrids will be more efficient than diesels in both city and highway driving.
He also claimed the cost and size of the hybrid drivetrain will be cut by half, which would allow Toyota to reach its goal of offering hybrid options across its entire lineup.
10-26-07, 09:19 AM
#4
Since the Prius is somewhere between the Corolla and Camry in terms of size, the price should be in the middle as well.
Right now, the Prius costs just as much as the Camry, and is underpowered by both it and the Corolla. Of course, it's all about gas efficiency, but can't we ask for just a little more?
Hopefully, the next gen Prius will find a middle ground in terms of pricing, now that the tax benefit is no longer available.
Right now, the Prius costs just as much as the Camry, and is underpowered by both it and the Corolla. Of course, it's all about gas efficiency, but can't we ask for just a little more?
Hopefully, the next gen Prius will find a middle ground in terms of pricing, now that the tax benefit is no longer available.
10-26-07, 03:18 PM
#6
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I get annoyed with people who make the claim the Jetta TDI gets better highway fuel economy than a Prius. A Jetta is alot smaller than a Prius and from what Ive read it takes 13 seconds to hit 60 MPH compared to the 10 seconds of the Prius.
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