Will
a new Prius hit the streets in 2008?
Monday,
June 11, 2007
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.
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.
posted
by Dahcredyns at
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