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Does the current situation affect hybrid sales more?

108 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2009 at 1:35 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Saturn Aura Hybrid, Saturn VUE Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Car Buying, Coupe, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, SUV


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#39 of 108
Re: If the Prius [boaz47] by nwng
Dec 03, 2008 (10:49 am)
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Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 01, 2008 6:24 pm)

the prius came out in japan in 97, had nothing to do with carb. The idea is to develope a low emission vehicle with great gas mileage. It is an evolutionary step towards a ev, I mean a practical ev
#40 of 108
Re: If the Prius [nwng] by gagrice
Dec 03, 2008 (12:43 pm)
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Replying to: nwng (Dec 03, 2008 10:49 am)

the prius came out in japan in 97, had nothing to do with carb.
 
About 1990 CARB mandated 10% ZEV cars by 1998 in CA. Clinton authorized a few billion to build next generation cars in 1993. The money was only allocated to the Big 3. They did in fact come up with high mileage hybrids. Toyota went to Japan and got funding to also build a hybrid at the same time. The Big 3 showed off their hybrids in 2000. The Dodge intrepid ESX was being tested in 1997. There are many stories as to why they never built them. Most was related to the high cost of lightweight materials. These cars were all capable of 72-80 MPG. The Big 3 were also working on EVs to satisfy the CA mandate. The impracticality of the lead acid and NiMH EVs was soon apparent. And with the hybrids just around the corner CARB changed their mind. That gave Toyota a great opening for the Prius. I know for a fact they could not give them away to start with. I test drove one of the first ones in San Diego. I thought it was cool and it was being offered for $20k with a great 8 year B to B warranty. Wife hated it and that ended the Prius in my garage. The Big 3 lost out because they did not think it would ever sell. It did and Toyota got the jump on the Big 3.
 
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/facts/favorites/fcvt_fotw128.html
#41 of 108
Re: If the Prius [gagrice] by boaz47
Dec 03, 2008 (2:50 pm)
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Replying to: gagrice (Dec 03, 2008 12:43 pm)

Thanks for pointing out how I came to my rant. They also stopped the EV program by Toyota after CARB dropped the Zero emissions standard and left those of us that believed they were doing the right thing sitting on the side of the road. By the way at the time when CARB mandated the zero emissions cars the Big three and Toyota told them they couldn't do it but, and this is the kicker, the could see their way into offering a gas electric hybrid. This was years before they introduced the Prius. Does it seem like maybe they already had the concept of the Prius in the pipeline? Once Toyota brought the Prius over here CARB folded like a cheap paper bag and GM even crushed all of the old EV-1s. Toyota stopped supporting the Rav-4 program. Now where is the reasoning off base? And now nine years later we are talking about EVs without a CARB mandate.
#42 of 108
Re: If the Prius [boaz47] by gagrice
Dec 03, 2008 (2:56 pm)
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Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 03, 2008 2:50 pm)

They also stopped the EV program by Toyota after CARB dropped the Zero emissions standard and left those of us that believed they were doing the right thing sitting on the side of the road.
 
That is how it happened. Sadly the RAV4 EV was a decent vehicle. Those that have them are still going. Some have replaced the NiMH with Li-Ion batteries. As is still the case, the batteries are expensive and will need to come down a lot to bring EVs back to the forefront.
#43 of 108
Re: If the Prius [gagrice] by boaz47
Dec 03, 2008 (3:32 pm)
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Replying to: gagrice (Dec 03, 2008 2:56 pm)

Sure they cost too much but remember they sold the first Prius here at a net loss for the a year or two. They could have done the same thing with the Rav-4 EV. For now all I can hope for is a city car with California's low speed certification. I almost have my wife talked into a GEM or similar vehicle. Not that I don't get around town now without one. I will have more than 1000 miles on my Road Bike and 600 miles on my comfort bike (bicycles)before the year is out and I have only been riding since the middle of June. Like I said I lucked out and moved to a Bike friendly city.
#44 of 108
Re: If the Prius [boaz47] by gagrice
Dec 03, 2008 (4:05 pm)
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Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 03, 2008 3:32 pm)

I should ride my bikes more often. I moved up here on the mountain. Going anywhere is downhill. It is coming back that is a killer for me. We have a lot of hardcore riders up here in Alpine on the weekends.
#45 of 108
November Auto Sales by imscf
Dec 03, 2008 (4:14 pm)
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Today's NY Times report big drop in all auto sales for November, as buyers are postponing purchases due to the economy. Of the top 16 most popular cars and trucks, the only increase is in the Malibu (all models) 9,400 autos, or + 35%, and the most decrease was in the Prius, 8,600 sold, -48%.
The top five best sellers were: Ford Fseries (37,900, -18%), Chevy Silverado (29,500, -22%), Camry (25,200, -29%), Corolla (21,800, -13%), and Civic (17,700, -29%).
#46 of 108
Re: If the Prius [gagrice] by boaz47
Dec 03, 2008 (5:29 pm)
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Replying to: gagrice (Dec 03, 2008 4:05 pm)

You do live in a nice area. When I was up in Crestline / Lake Arrowhead I didn't ride much because of the same reasons. Getting anywhere was either up hill or getting home was up hill.
#47 of 108
Re: November Auto Sales [imscf] by boaz47
Dec 03, 2008 (5:37 pm)
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Replying to: imscf (Dec 03, 2008 4:14 pm)

"and the most decrease was in the Prius, 8,600 sold, -48%."
 
If that is the case I may have to reverse my earlier post. I simply didn't think it would effect hybrids anymore than other cars.
#48 of 108
Re: Prius Sales Down 48% [gagrice] by kdhspyder
Dec 03, 2008 (10:58 pm)
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Replying to: gagrice (Dec 03, 2008 5:34 am)

Nobody is buying anything for the time being. Inventory is piling up across the board on every product. Nothing to see here, move on.
 
Oh did I mention currency currency currency .... again for the 27th time. The JY / US$ exchange rate stood at 94 / 1 yesterday !!!!! At this rate there is NO incentive at all to ship products form there to here. Every month this same subject comes up and every month I have to keep bringing up the reminder about the currency.
 
With the industry down 20-30% for the year it's pretty strong that Prius sales are down only 10% due to the super strong in spring and summer

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