Remove your Prius floor mats?

Time to remove your Prius floor mats?

Do Toyota vehicles have an acceleration problem? Currently, there isn't any evidence that a deeper mechanical problem exists in any Toyota vehicles in terms of sudden acceleration.

However, both Toyota and the NHTSA agree that removing the floor mats is a good idea until this issue is further resolved.

Nonetheless, this issue does not apply to the current 2010 Prius, but only second generation Prius hybrids from 2004 - 2009.

Camry hybrid more important than the Prius?

Is the Camry hybrid the ultimate barometer?

Toyota is now ramping up its lobbying efforts in Japan hoping to extend tax credits for environmentally-friendly cars, particularly hybrid cars, for another two years. Thus far these credits have pushed the Toyota Prius to the top of the sales list in Japan. Yet, what would Prius sales be without these tax credits?

Finish: Camry hybrid more important than the Prius?

Auris hybrid more advanced thant the Prius?

Better than the Prius?

At the Frankfurt Auto Show there will be a good bit of hype around Toyota's plug-in Prius. However, there might be even more hype around the new Auris hybrid vehicle.

Finish: Auris hybrid more advanced thant the Prius?

A sporty Toyota hybrid?

Toyota must challenge the CR-Z hybrid

Sometimes when you sit atop the world, it's quite easy to become complacent. Well, when it comes to Toyota's hybrid kingdom, there certainly has been no complacency.

Not long ago there were rumors that the 2010 Third Generation Toyota Prius was going to cost more than the eventual sticker price. However, Toyota didn't want pricing to be too high, as it might provide a competitive advantage for Honda's Insight hybrid. Thus, Toyota reacted with new pricing and a new base model.

Finish: A sporty Toyota hybrid?

A break for Prius buyers?

Time to go shopping soon

If you've been out shopping for a Toyota Prius recently, you might have noticed that supplies are thin, or that haggling for a better price was a wasted effort.

Finish: A break for Prius buyers?

Would a Yaris hybrid steal Prius sales?

An instant top selling hybrid?

By 2011, if the rumors are correct, Toyota will launch a Yaris-like hybrid that might sell for as low as $15,650 and achieve as much as 70 mpg in the city.

Finish: Would a Yaris hybrid steal Prius sales?

Is lithium the key to Toyota's battery shortage

Running out of NiMH batteries

Toyota is running out of batteries. Consequently, in Japan, the wait for a new Toyota Prius can be as much as 8 months. According to Toyota, Panasonic EV just can't keep up with demand, although plans are in place to increase production to 1,000,000 units per year by next year.

Finish: Is lithium the key to Toyota's battery shortage

Clunkers for a Prius

No production limitations?

The latest results on the Cash for Clunkers program are in and the Toyota Prius continues to move well. Currently, the Prius is the 5th most purchased vehicle under the program.

Finish: Clunkers for a Prius

Prius and Insight Top Safety Pick Awards

Small and safe

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded both the new Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight Top Safety Pick Awards.

Small, safe and fuel efficient. Do you really need that huge guzzler to feel safe?

Leaf, Volt: Has the Prius lost its crown?

Leaf to get 367 mpg!?

So, which vehicle is better: the Chevy Volt, the Nissan Leaf or the Toyota Prius?

Not long after GM announced that the Volt might achieve 230 mpg in the city, Nissan announced that its Leaf electric vehicle would achieve 367 mpg in the city. So, obviously, the Leaf is the best, followed by the Volt, then the Prius, right?

Finish: Leaf, Volt: Has the Prius lost its crown?

GM must meet guzzler demand

Lutz at the Volt debut

"It remains a fact that the American public buys big, high consumption, cars," claims GM's Bob Lutz in a recent interview. Moreover, Lutz goes on to state, "The mass movement towards 'green cars' is only taking place in the media".

Except for the Toyota Prius of course.

Finish: GM must meet guzzler demand

Japan: Thanks cash for clunkers

Cash for clunkers worked?

According to the National Transportation Safety Administration the 'Cash for Clunkers' program led to a sales surge in small vehicles and hybrid cars, particularly the Toyota Prius. The Prius was the 4th most purchased vehicle via the clunker program.

Finish: Japan: Thanks cash for clunkers

Battery shortage hits new Prius

Just not enough batteries

Toyota cannot keep up with Prius demand due to a shortage of battery packs according to Toyota senior managing director Takahiko Ijichi.

Finish: Battery shortage hits new Prius

Toyota Prius: Just a fad?

10th best selling vehicle in America in July

Hybrid sales are dead. According to a number of the auto rags consumers don't want hybrid cars when gas prices are low. Period.

Well, despite gas prices that are far cheaper than last year - about $1.50 less - the Toyota Prius is the 10th best selling vehicle in America.

Finish: Toyota Prius: Just a fad?

Forget horsepower, it's all about aerodynamics

As aerodynamic as it's going to get

It's aerodynamics, stupid.

Insideline reported yesterday that GM's lead Chevy Volt designer, Bob Boniface, has become a little offensive about the Volt's aerodynamics. While GM isn't releasing official aero figures, Boniface claims that many competitors, such as Tesla, are releasing phony numbers. Ultimately, Boniface claims the Volt will offer a coefficient drag similar to either the Roadster or the new Toyota Prius.

Finish: Forget horsepower, it's all about aerodynamics

Just add a rocket to your Prius

Just add a micro-jet engine?

ETV, an Israeli startup, has a modified a Toyota Prius into a range extended hybrid, much like the Chevy Volt. However, instead of using a small engine to generate electricity, the ETV hybrid uses a small micro-jet engine / turbine that produces power to drive the wheels or to recharge the battery pack.

Finish: Just add a rocket to your Prius

Bob Lutz, hybrid cars and GM

Still irrelevant according to Lutz?

Bob Lutz. Love him or hate him, he's one very interesting guy. Over the last few years I've had a chance to meet Lutz a few times, and even though I disagree very much with him on many issues, I still cannot help but like the guy. Moreover, even though I disagree with him, I have total respect for his straight talk.

Still, that doesn't mean that Lutz sticking around at GM is a good thing. Lutz, over the years, has been clear about a few things. For instance, global warming is a joke and the Toyota Prius, and hybrid cars in general, are a pretty stupid idea.

Finish: Bob Lutz, hybrid cars and GM

Third Gen Prius Cheaper than expected?

Priced the same as the current Prius

The new third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive is going to enable the 2010 Toyota Prius to achieve better fuel economy and better performance than the current Prius and all in a bit larger package. Likewise, it will offer a number of new, advanced electronic features. Thus, many have assumed the price of the new Prius will increase significantly.

Finish: Third Gen Prius Cheaper than expected?

Why no tax credits for the Prius?

Too much pressure on US automakers?

Why doesn't the Toyota Prius qualify for a tax credit? Why not the Honda Insight?

If it were the Ford Prius that was today's king of hybrid cars, would the government have extended tax credits on such vehicles long ago?

Finish: Why not tax credits for the Prius?

50 mpg: Do you expect more from the new Prius?

10 percent more efficient

Toyota is beginning to stage media briefings in preparation for its April launch, but really most of the key details are based around one simple stat: MPGs.

According to the EPA, the new Toyota Prius will achieve 49 mpg on the highway and 50 mpg in the city - a number that hypermilers will have little problem increasing.

Finish 50 mpg: Do you expect more from the new Prius?

Prius hate at Edmunds simply retarded

All about advertising?

Where should you go for unbiased information about your next car purchase? Not Edmunds.com. At least, that's all I can assume from the latest anti-Toyota Prius drivel from the Straightline blog which is featuring Prius crash tests this morning.

Finish: Prius hate at Edmunds simply retarded

Hot new details on the 2010 Toyota Prius

Not! And don't expect any until January

There was a rumor coming out of England that Toyota planned to sell both the current version of the Toyota Prius and the third generation Toyota Prius concurrently. The current version, according to the rumor, would be sold at a discount to fight off the Honda Insight.

Finish: 2010 Toyota Prius - Hot, new details

Toyota Prius: US automakers can't handle the truth

US automakers can't compete?

According to analysts that follow Japanese automakers, the Toyota Prius, king of hybrid cars, has become a strongly profitable vehicle for Toyota. It also helps drive consumers into Toyota dealerships.

Yet, not one US automaker has concrete plans to challenge the Prius. FINISH: Toyota Prius - US automakers can't handle the truth

Toyota Prius battery costs

Still leaving all others in the dust

There are now hundreds of thousands of Toyota Prius hybrids on the roads of America, and a number of them have had their battery warranties expire, particularly first generation Prii. So, if the battery goes out, how much will it cost to replace? $2,299 according to AutoWeek, a reduction of almost $700 compared to the costs of such batteries just a couple of months ago.

Second generation Prius hybrids should still be under warranty, but if the battery does need to be replaced, it would cost $2,588.

Will the Big 3 ever challenge the Toyota Prius?

The only Prius challenger for years?

Duh? The Chevy Volt, right?

Not any time soon. Maybe not ever.

A significant percent of Americans simply can't plug-in, won't want to plug-in, or won't want to front the extra money up front for the benefits of electric vehicles.

Ultimately, there will be plenty of consumers for both the Toyota Prius and the Chevy Volt, but they are two very different technologies for two different consumer segments.

Yet, Toyota is also developing plug-in hybrids to challenge the Volt. Are GM's lithium-powered BAS hybrids really a challenge to the Prius? Are 20,000 Ford Focus hybrids a challenge to the Prius? And what about Chrysler?

In recent months, both Hyundai and Honda have committed to selling 100,000's of thousands of hybrid cars each, per year, within the next several years. Shouldn't the Big 3 be doing the same?

Lexus set for Prius-based hybrid

Lexus version coming soon

A new Lexus hybrid, based off the Toyota Prius, is a done deal, at least for Europe, according to AutoWeek.

Plans to produce a larger Lexus hybrid, however, have been squashed because of CO2 emissions.

New Honda Insight still not better than the Prius?

Not as efficient as the Prius in the city?

The new Honda Insight hybrid will be the first real challenge to the Toyota Prius. But is it really a Prius fighter?

Finish: Honda Insight in Paris - Cheaper not better than the Prius?

Proof of a city Prius?

A great Prius derivative for America?

A city Toyota Prius for America? Why not? Why let Honda sell the cheapest hybrid cars in America?

Finish: Auris hybrid - Proof a city Prius is possible.

How to judge 'fuel economy' of plug-ins

What's the value of plugging in?

When tax credits for plug-ins become available, neither electric range nor fuel economy will matter, only battery capacity - a move that appears to strongly favor GM's Chevy Volt versus the Toyota Prius.

However, when it comes to the EPA and CAFE, it's fuel economy that will matter. And that is the standard that Congress will judge automaker fleet fuel economy.

So why the double standard?

Finish: Plug-in Ratings: Both Congress and the EPA confused

How would you change the Toyota Prius?

Multiple Prius derivatives inevitable

Some day soon, Toyota will begin rolling out new hybrid cars, a bit different than the current Prius, but that will also utilize the Prius name plate, such as a larger crossover Prius, or a smaller city Prius. Shoot. Maybe a convertible Prius, or a two seat, sporty Prius. And, of course, a plug-in Prius.

Finish: How would you change the Toyota Prius?

Great Honda Insight expectations

Too little too late?

Sure, it looks sort of like the Toyota Prius, yet the Insight's design lines are still a bit more sleek and refined than the Prius. But consumers don't buy the Prius for its looks - or do they - they buy it for its fuel economy, right? How will the Honda Insight compare?

Finish: Great Honda Insight Expectations

Huh? Prius sales down in May?

What caused limited supplies?

HMMM! Dealers were marking up the Toyota Prius by as much as $3,000 above MSRP in May, when supplies of the Prius were down 40 percent? What?!

Finish: Prius sales down 40 percent in May: Defending Toyota

3rd Generation Prius Hype: Time to get over it?

Third generation Prius will still be great

I'll be honest. For a long time I've been hoping beyond hope that somehow Toyota would find a way to integrate lithium into the third generation Toyota Prius, or at least into some Toyota hybrid car, but it just isn't going to happen for a few more years.

Finish: 3rd Generation Prius Hype: Time to get over it?

Plug-in Prius conversions too expensive?

Ready to convert your Prius?

There are a number of 3rd parties that will convert your Toyota Prius into a plug-in Prius, that's not the problem. The problem is cost.

Finish: Toyota Prius conversions: 24 miles of electricity for $20,000.

Toyota Prius: The little car that could

The world will never be the same

A few years ago on the blogosphere, the disdain for the Toyota Prius often seemed to out-weigh the support for the Prius. It seemed you either loved or hated the Prius, and the haters were just as vocal, if not more, than the lovers.

These days Prius haters are much more silent, or they've changed their focus. Instead of calling hybrids a niche technology, or an over-rated technology, many have instead begun to support the hybrid vehicles of their favorite automaker.

For example, some of the biggest hybrid haters have been GM fans, probably because many fans of GM have enjoyed SUVs and seemed to feel that the Prius was a threat to their SUV lifestyle. And, let's be fair, many Prius drivers do hate SUVs. So, the attacks seemed to become almost personal. Read more....

Brazil testing E25 Prius hybrids

Will it be as efficient on E25

For the next couple of years, Brazil is going to test a few Toyota Prius hybrids in regular traffic to monitor their performance when filled with Brazilian gasoline. Gasoline in Brazil is 20 - 25 percent ethanol. However, if the results are successful, CENBIO and Petrobras might try to sell the idea of bio-fueled hybrids to other areas of the world as part of the BEST project, BioEthanol for Sustainable Transport project. (more)

Interest in the Ford Escape hybrid increasing?

Ready for a sales explosion?

According to CarMax, searches for hybrid cars are on the rise. Hybrids like the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Camry hybrid have seen huge increases in search traffic, however, the hybrid that has seen the biggest increase is the Ford Escape hybrid.

Is it Ford's smart "hybrid, hybrid" commercial? Have high gasoline prices finally forced die-hard SUV drivers to consider a hybrid SUV?

Who knows, but it will be interesting to check out Ford's Escape hybrid sales numbers the next few months. For many months, interest in hybrid vehicles has increased, but sales have lagged far behind this interest. Are consumers finally ready to pull the trigger on hybrids like the Escape hybrid?

Hybrids: Can Honda catch Toyota?

The 2009 Toyota Prius?

In 2009 Honda is going to launch a new hybrid vehicle, one that Honda hopes will sell 200,000 units. That's a huge improvement compared to Honda's top selling hybrid, the Honda Civic hybrid. Additionally, it would make the new Honda hybrid as popular as the Toyota Prius.

So, how might Honda accomplish such a monumental task? Read more....

Could the Vue beat the Prius to lithium?

Will the Vue hybrid be GM's next dual mode hybrid?

At this year's LA Auto Show, GM focused on its hybrid vehicles and the Chevy Volt. New technologies are the future, GM seemed to say, and this is how we're heading into the future, with hybrids today and the Volt and fuel cell vehicles tomorrow.

A year earlier at the same LA Auto Show, GM had created some buzz by announcing plans for a Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid vehicle. Yet, at this year's show, there was no word on the Saturn Vue hybrid, which seems odd. If the Chevy Volt is going to launch in 2010, it seems obvious that the Vue plug-in hybrid, ideally, would have to launch before the Volt.

So, is 2009 the year of the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid? Read more.....

Prius a major web player

The Prius has caught America's attention

When you consider that the Toyota Prius is one of the 10 Best Selling Cars in America so far in 2007, then it should also come as no surprise that the Prius is also one of the Top 10 most searched vehicles on MSN.

Where are Hertz's Prius hybrid cars?

No Prius hybrids in Los Angeles?

Back in June, Hertz announced that it would be adding some 3,400 Toyota Prius hybrid cars to their fleet. And, recently, Hertz has increased its ads for its green fleet and vehicles such as the Prius. After seeing another commercial today, I thought I would check out my local Hertz to find out the cost per day to rent a Prius. Sadly, I couldn't find one Hertz location in the greater Northeast Los Angeles-Pasadena area that offers a Prius rental - at least according to their websites.

So, what's the deal? Has anybody rented a Prius, or any other hybrid cars, from Hertz lately?

Solar hybrids versus battleships

A Solar Prius from Solar Electrical Systems

The technology to develop a solar assisted plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius exists today, in fact Solar Electrical Systems has already helped integrate the technology into such hybrid vehicles. Sure, such hybrids are expensive, maybe not even cost-effective, but that is only because gasoline prices are artificially low.

When the U.S. spends more than $100 billion per year - NOT including war costs - just to secure oil from the Middle East, it becomes obvious that the real cost of gasoline is significantly higher than paid at the pump - we pay most of our gasoline costs as taxes to fund the military-industrial complex that is securing our oil.

The technology to fundamentally change the world, via replacing our corrupt energy paradigm, exists today, it is just economies of scale that are needed to bring down the costs. Yet, when all of the costs of securing and maintaining our current energy paradigm are considered, it seems to me that the costs of developing a clean and green future are easily worth the investment.

Toyota Prius: Truth about hybrid cars

It's not just a niche vehicle for environmentalists

I just finished reading Karl On Cars' take on the Toyota Prius, and how the Prius outsold entire brands like, Acura, Audi, Buick, Infiniti, Lincoln, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Saturn, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki and Volvo. Not bad for a niche vehicle.

So, why aren't other hybrid cars selling as well?

Because there really isn't any competition. That's the plain and simple truth. Finish....

Does Toyota's NiMH PHEV matter?

A plug-in hybrid from Hymotion

When I was at the LA Auto Show, there was a protest across the street demanding that automakers start making plug-in hybrid vehicles. While much focus has been placed on lithium batteries for plug-in hybrids, demonstrators converted a NiMH powered Toyota Prius into a plug-in NiMH powered Prius - as proof that today's batteries were ready for plug-in technology.

But really, is there a point to such a conversion? Thus, is there a point to Toyota's current PHEVs that utilize NiMH battery backs? Read more....

Customers love the Prius

The fourth year in a row

For the fourth year in a row, the Toyota Prius took the top spot for the Consumer Reports' 'Most Satisfying' survey. 92 percent of current owners would definitely buy one again.

The Toyota Camry hybrid was also a Most Satisfying pick in the family car category.

No other hybrid cars were on the list.

Many Americans interested in hybrids, but few buy

Most still pick the Camry over the Camry hybrid

There is a belief, especially among hybrid critics, that the Toyota Prius is the best selling hybrid vehicle because it looks different. While there are some that buy the Prius purely for status, many others buy it purely for fuel economy.

But there is another reason that might be even more important when considering hybrids cars and fuel economy: short term versus long term thinking. Finish.....

Is the Volt miles ahead of the Prius

This Prius by Hybrids-Plus achieves more than 100 mpg, today

I just finished reading David Kiley's BW article, GM's Plug-In Push, which opens, "General Motors is developing a plug-in hybrid technology for its Chevy Volt that is miles ahead of Toyota and Honda."

Really?

I heard the same such sentiment several months ago regarding GM's hybrid vehicles, which many have called more advanced and more sophisticated than Toyota's hybrids such as the Prius. Perhaps, but still I have asked, what are the costs of GM's technology, will it be sold in a package that consumers want at a price they are willing to pay? (Finish)

100 mpg plug-in hybrids NOW?

Felix Kramer leads a protest across the street from the LA Auto Show

A number of protesters huddled around a Toyota Prius as it was converted into a plug-in hybrid vehicle today just outside the LA Auto Show. Felix Kramer and his CalCars.Org participated in the protest, as did several other plug-in hybrid-focused groups.

Essentially, these protesters claim that automakers have the technology and the ability to start making 100 mpg plug-in hybrid vehicles today. As proof they are converting conventional hybrids into plug-in hybrids.

So, are they right? Are automakers dragging their feet? I'll be posting more pictures and addressing these issues in a later post.

The rumor mill: No Prius delay?

Everything is right on track?

Another Toyota excecutive, speaking anonymously, told the AP that delays in lithium-ion battery production are not delaying the launch of the third generation Prius. The executive further stated that Toyota engineers have long been aware of the potential problems with lithium technology, such as were seen in Sony laptops and cell phones.

"The Toyota official, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on the matter, said various innovations for the next Prius are being considered — not just the lithium-ion battery."

With sales higher than ever for the Prius, it seems Toyota has no reason to be in a hurry at this point in time.

Fuel economy - All about Japan?

Prius balances Toyota's gas-guzzlers

Honda Motor Co. had the highest fuel economy of any manufacturer selling automobiles in the U.S. with 22.9 mpg, a slight decrease compared with its 2006 lineup, according to MSNBC.

Toyota posted a 22.8 mpg average for its 2007 vehicles compared with 22.4 mpg the previous year, largely driven by the Prius and Toyota's other hybrid vehicles.

22.9 mpg is the best fuel economy in America? There is only one word to describe America's fuel economy: pathetic.