Toyota Scales Back Hybrid Plans

[AMERICA 123]

Toyota scales back hybrid goals Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com <break to fit>
/money/autos/environment/2008-01-13-toyota-hybrid_N.htm

By Chris Woodyard and Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY
DETROIT — Toyota is backing off its pledge to hybridize every model by 2012, and instead it says it will develop a broader mix of alternative-energy vehicles.
Making a gas-electric hybrid out of every Toyota model, as the company vowed to do in 2003, may not make sense because it's becoming apparent that different models require different types of fuel-saving technologies, said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota's U.S. sales operation.........

And for the Volt fans...... is the following the PHEV that goes against the VOLT ?

........Jaycie Chitwood, senior strategic planner in the automaker's U.S. advanced technologies unit, said Toyota has constructed prototype plug-in hybrid versions of the Prius that should go seven miles on battery power before the gasoline engine kicks in. Toyota hasn't decided whether to start production on those vehicles. It would be several more years before they could be offered for sale if production gets a green light...........

"We're hedging our bet because diesel is the best solution for a full-size pickup,........

.

..........Toyota had said just two years ago that it would add hybrid versions each time it introduced new versions of each vehicle line. Toyota said at the time it want to push hybrid sales from 3% of its overall volume to 10% by 2012.

The rest of the article indicates some others, such as ethanol.


Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

[FenwickHockey65]

Seven?!!!

Trust me toyota. That's not even worth producing.

[vsd]

I think that's 7 miles on the current batteries, not Lithium. But it doesn't matter because until I can go pick one up from a dealer, GM and Toyota are both selling snake oil and the dog and pony show.

[Wolfman01]

Let Toyota beat GM to the PHEV gate with that laughing stock. Hey Toyota, with very careful throttle management, a slightly downhill bit of terrain, and some luck with the lights, I could squeeze that distance out of my '03 Prius.

The 2mode VUE will supposedly be good for 10 miles, when it comes out, and that's a SUV no less.

[burningsquirrel]

don't believe it. it's probably a japanese trick. "no we're not working on it" then BAM "hi, we're done. here it is."

[caddycruiser]

Originally Posted by vsd

I think that's 7 miles on the current batteries, not Lithium. But it doesn't matter because until I can go pick one up from a dealer, GM and Toyota are both selling snake oil and the dog and pony show.

Very true. We can instantly condemn or laugh at Toyota for this...but until something like the Volt is ACTUALLY buyable, it's all smoke in mirrors. Well, we know what it will be and have a good idea of when, but until it's tangible, this stands.

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by burningsquirrel

don't believe it. it's probably a japanese trick. "no we're not working on it" then BAM "hi, we're done. here it is."

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/environment<cut to fit>
/2008-01-14-toyota-alternative-fuel_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Toyota pursues alternative fuel-saving technology

By 2010, Toyota plans to build about 400 demonstration plug-in hybrids, which also can charge the batteries from wall sockets, to further cut gasoline use

And

Toyota now hopes to have hybrid options available on all models by 2020, some 10 years later than it forecast a few years ago. When it comes to plug-in hybrids, the next step is to see if lithium-ion batteries can be built on a large scale, Watanabe says. Those are lighter and more efficient than the nickel metal hydride batteries used today.

Look at the article that started this thread plus this .....put it all together ......

[BrickTamland]

No matter what Toyota decides to do, other automakers will have to take it seriously, less they want to be left behind. I do not believe for one second Toyota will not put lots of money into developing whatever fuel savings methods they choose. GM can not afford to dismiss them. Japanese automakers were dismissed decades ago. That dismissal was obviously wrong.

Overall, do not doubt Toyota will aggressively pursue plug-ins, hybrids, diesels, or whatever.

[CamaroCrazy]

One environmental activist expressed dismay about Toyota backing off its pledge on hybrids. Electric car advocate Chelsea Sexton of Plug-In America says the company isn't living up to its promises and that she feels a "sense of betrayal." Toyota "has been resting on its hybrid laurels" since introducing the Prius in the U.S. in mid-2000.

Wow. These environmentalists are vicious. Betrayal? Resting on its hybird laurels? I'll step in and defend Toyota here (this may be the one and only time....) but I think that Toyota has made significant progress in advancing its hybrid and gas-saving technologies. The second generation Prius is much better technology-wise than the first generation, and Toyota has made a very competitive and financially attractive hybrid out of the Camry and the Highlander. Toyota backing off its hybrid goals I think it a needed reality check. Hybrids aren't the answer, they're a nice stepping stone to the next evolution of personal transportation. Hybrids still run on gas and I can't imagine hybrids working in every automotive application. Diesels, fuel cells, whatever, there are other ways of approaching this fuel economy/gasoline usage issue.

But Jim Kliesch, senior analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists' clean vehicles program, says he's not entirely surprised. Although hybrid technology provides promise, there are cheaper, less glitzy ways to achieve improvements in gas mileage. They include high-strength, lightweight materials, and more efficient transmissions.
"It's the boring stuff," he says. "It's cooler to talk about hybrids and fuel cells, but at the end of the day it's the boring stuff that will get the job done."

When all is said and done, this is the cold hard boring truth. I'm perfectly okay with that.

[jbernie]

Regardless of who is building one, it is not cheap nor is it easy to produce the technology that is being used in the quantities needed for any kind of mainstream use.

Like wise, even though Toyota is selling the Prius in decent numbers they haven't seen that kind of success with any other model. The US market at least does not seem to have an attraction for Hybrid versions of normal vehicles.

The first company to produce a full size SUV that can get 30+mpg and sells it for a normal price will win .

[bigtime]

Sounds like exxon-mobil and OPEC got to them. : )

[bigtime]

Originally Posted by jbernie

Regardless of who is building one, it is not cheap nor is it easy to produce the technology that is being used in the quantities needed for any kind of mainstream use.

Like wise, even though Toyota is selling the Prius in decent numbers they haven't seen that kind of success with any other model. The US market at least does not seem to have an attraction for Hybrid versions of normal vehicles.

Hybrids in this country have to be recognizable as such - i.e. the prius, its seems those people that drive them like everyone to know their driving a hybrid. Hence honda's descision to build a dedicated hybrid, not just a civic with hybrid drive.

[Butz]

Toyota introduces bigger, more powerful new Tundra.
Toyota scales back hybrid plans.

you'd think people would notice..

[PocoToro]

Originally Posted by Butz

Toyota introduces bigger, more powerful new Tundra.
Toyota scales back hybrid plans.

Toyota looks more and more like GM of yesterday. Maybe this is what happens when you become number one in sales

[VibenPontiac]

There's a reason T'yota didn't like the new rules-it was b/c they would all of a sudden have to start investing in other technologies other than Nickal batteries...CAFE may suck but at at least it forces everyone, except GM, to readjust and diversify their enviro dollars. Ask me and GM is actually perfectly positioned for diverse fuel strategies.