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Originally Posted by TRD-MX83
hmm... so their cost is half... but how about the price retail?
Because I just can't see Toyota selling a $12k Prius.
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I don't remember ever seeing a cost for Toyota's hybrid system. Tideland Prius, do you know the cost of the Hybrid Synergy Drive itself? And, then again, it is difficult to determine the price of the next generation Prius, since there is currently no regular, non-hybrid Prius to compare it to, like we can compare a regular Camry and the Camry Hybrid. All we can say is that the price difference between the next generation Camry and Camry Hybrid should be about half what the difference is now.
Let me start the discussion that I am sure toyotafanfan is predicting by starting this thread...
If the next generation Toyota hybrid system is still using the lower-density nickel-metal hydride battery, and not the higher-density lithium-ion battery, will it be trumped by the Chevrolet Volt? Will the next generation Prius offer the plug-in hybrid option, and if so, will the range be competitive with the Volt if it is not using a lithium-ion battery? Is Toyota being too conservative?
Toyota has had the reputation of being conservative, and has not always been the first out with the latest technology (5-speed automatic transmissions is one example). They have done well with this attitude, but will they lose out -- at least lose out in terms of customer perception -- if the Chevrolet Volt comes to market with lithium-ion batteries and a greater plug-in range than the next generation Prius?
Perhaps Toyota is being conservative -- again -- to ensure that the quality of the next Prius is not affected. Perhaps Toyota sees a possible further slip of its reputation for quality and reliability as a greater risk than selling a lithium-ion battery that they do not feel is ready for prime-time.
Let the discussions start...
