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Hybrids - News, Reviews and Views in the Press

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Civic, Hybrid Cars

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#41 of 567 Re: Money Losing Hybrid from Nissan [moparbad] by kdhspyder Dec 08, 2006 (6:06 pm)
Replying to: moparbad (Dec 08, 2006 1:19 pm) I tend to agree that hybrids now are just profitable or maybe just barely profitable.   The key word from Watanabe's statement is '..significant..'   I've tried guessing this question before and frankly I just don't know.   A Camry/Highlander even the Prius is just a vehicle ( excluding the hybrid components ) and Toyota is known to make a bundle on each of these ( Prius? ). But how much effect does the hybrid system have on the total cost. -there's more programming; -there are fewer parts in the PSD vs a traditional tranny; -there are more parts overall -hybrid development costs?   Blue sky guessing from what I've read about other vehicles from other manufacturers and their developmental costs I'd guess $2-$3 Billion. With a Million vehicles on the road now, or soon to be, that's about $2-$3,000 per vehicle. It's purely speculation but I've never seen any specific numbers. Replies to this message: terry92270 (Dec 08, 2006 6:48 pm)
#42 of 567 From IL today by kdhspyder Dec 08, 2006 (6:14 pm)
Toyota is looking to expand its hybrid lines.. including adding a diesel hybrid Prius   Toyota hybrids IL Replies to this message: terry92270 (Dec 08, 2006 6:50 pm)
#43 of 567 Re: Money Losing Hybrid from Nissan [kdhspyder] by terry92270 Dec 08, 2006 (6:48 pm)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Dec 08, 2006 6:06 pm) You are most certainly in the ballpark.   From the prices we are now seeing, Prius and Camry Hybrids are now about even with their (at least size-wise) ICE counterparts, the high-end models.
#44 of 567 Re: From IL today [kdhspyder] by terry92270 Dec 08, 2006 (6:50 pm)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Dec 08, 2006 6:14 pm) LOL   Seems they must be reading that other forum where you and the electric cart guy post all the time!   I wonder if Toyota, buying a stake in Izuzu, has decided GM is too broken to try and fix.....
#45 of 567 Re: Money Losing Hybrid from Nissan [kdhspyder] by goodcrd Dec 08, 2006 (9:16 pm)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Dec 08, 2006 5:48 pm) "Now here you need to do a little homework. try googling Cobasys or NiMH batteries. One of their main benefits is that they are NON-toxic." Twisted words again. These NiMH batteries are mildly toxic not NON-toxic.   Yes they are better then Lead acid or NiCad batteries, but far from non-toxic. And a washing machine is completely recycle able and will last a lot longer then a car. Plus most families only own one washer.   "In addition you might have missed that Toyota will pay anyone $200 to return a battery pack to them if a vehicle is scrapped."   Toyota better provide a way to recycle these batteries they provide so their lawyers can say later that Toyota provided consumers a proper way of disposing of these large quantities of NiMH batteries so Toyota can avoid liability. And $200.00 won't even pay the cost of removal let alone shipping.   What Toyota dealer do you work for? Replies to this message: goodcrd (Dec 08, 2006 9:46 pm)
#46 of 567 Re: Money Losing Hybrid from Nissan [goodcrd] by goodcrd Dec 08, 2006 (9:46 pm)
Replying to: goodcrd (Dec 08, 2006 9:16 pm) Don't get me wrong. I'm not against electric hybrids. I don't like twisted misinformation. NiMH batteries are the best battery option we have right now. All the auto manufacturers are using the same technology just presenting it in different ways. When it comes to being efficent producers, they all are pretty close. It is just at different times with market conditions some are at the right situation at the right time. Diesels will be here over the next four years. The Auto company who provides the best car with a diesel package will have an advantage. Don't overlook any of them. Some are better positioned. Look at Europe. The same models currently available there will most likely be the ones having the advantage here. Europe can be considered our test market for the diesel in the US. And somewhere I read in these posts that the electric and electronic components in the electric hybrids and non hybrid are what make cars more dependable. Wrong! The electronics are what fail most in cars and trucks today. If you find a good auto mechanic today you will also find one who knows electronics. If not he may just be a parts changer until he gets it right.
#47 of 567 Re: Money Losing Hybrid from Nissan [kdhspyder] by goodcrd Dec 08, 2006 (11:15 pm)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Dec 08, 2006 5:48 pm) Research about "NON-toxic" NiMH batteries:   -NiMH batteries generally do not contain any cadmium. They do contain 30-50% by weight nickel, and 4-15% potassium hydroxide. They also generally contain 2.5-8% cobalt, and 5-10% zinc or other similar metals. -The main toxic material in each of these batteries is cadmium in the NiCads and cobalt in the NiMHs. Although nickel is also toxic, it is efficiently recycled from both types of batteries and does not appreciably bioaccumulate (accumulate exponentially up the food chain in the bodies of animals and/or plants), making it less dangerous. Potassium hydroxide is not necessarily an environmental threat, but like the strong chemicals in all batteries, could cause personal injury if the battery leaked. Both cobalt and cadmium show evidence of bioaccumulating in the food chain (including in plants), which means that concentrations can rapidly become relatively high in organisms high in the food chain. -Similarities between cobalt and cadmium: They are both either known or possible carcinogens. They both cause lung, kidney, and other medical problems in exposed industrial workers. Both cobalt and cadmium are present in approximately the same number of hazardous waste sites in the US. Check out the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on the NiMH batteries used. You should find Cobalt. I've done research. Check the MSDS on your batteries. Go to the company web sites and pull up their MSDS information on their products. Don't just believe their PR. You might learn something. Replies to this message: shasta67 (Dec 09, 2006 7:50 pm) goodcrd (Dec 09, 2006 9:13 pm) gagrice (Dec 12, 2006 7:42 am) larsb (Dec 12, 2006 8:37 am) and 6 more... kdhspyder (Dec 12, 2006 10:37 am) shasta67 (Dec 17, 2006 6:46 pm)
#48 of 567 Re: Money Losing Hybrid from Nissan [goodcrd] by shasta67 Dec 09, 2006 (7:50 pm)
Replying to: goodcrd (Dec 08, 2006 11:15 pm) Friend you ever look up the MSDS for gasoline or diesel? There are no "safe" products out there. I deal with MSDS's everyday and if I really worried about what each one said I would never touch anything. The best anyone can do is limit contact and use the safest material possible. There are many products used in the manufacture of any car that would scare the hell out of you if you read the MSDS. To me the fact that Toyota will take them back is better than nothing at all. Replies to this message: goodcrd (Dec 09, 2006 9:13 pm) gagrice (Dec 12, 2006 7:42 am) larsb (Dec 12, 2006 8:37 am) gagrice (Dec 12, 2006 9:09 am) and 5 more... kdhspyder (Dec 12, 2006 10:37 am) shasta67 (Dec 17, 2006 6:46 pm)
#49 of 567 Re: Money Losing Hybrid from Nissan [shasta67] by goodcrd Dec 09, 2006 (9:13 pm)
Replying to: shasta67 (Dec 09, 2006 7:50 pm) But the point being are NiMH batteries "NON-toxic"!!!!!!!! No they are not just a better option then NiCad or Lead acid.
#50 of 567 diesel Prius on the way? by larsb Dec 11, 2006 (9:14 am)
Toyota mulling Diesel Prius? Egad !!   A Diesel/Electric Prius at 80+ MPG? I'd buy it in a heartbeat.   Go 'Yota !!!

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