Toyota still considering Prius sub-brand
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 1/x
We've been hearing rumblings of more models coming from Toyota that would carry the Prius badge for the last few months. While the Prius in five door hatchback style that we all know and love will definitely carry on, even after it is completely redone next year, there are likely to be other hybrid vehicles from the automaker that could slot both above and below the current Prius in size and price. Remember that Toyota showed off its 1/x (pronounced 1/xth) concept that used innovative packaging and new materials to punch a Prius-sized hole in the wind with less than a thousand pounds of vehicle. A larger hybrid is also a possibility, though we must wonder what that could mean to future hybrid variants of the popular Camry line.
Another intriguing option that we first heard of today are Prius-branded dealerships. Toyota has already tested the waters by introducing the Scion brand in the States as separate from its parent. A hybrid-only dealership could lend that extra bit of green street-cred to the automaker that already leads the race in hybrid development.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David Cabral 9:46AM (9/17/2008)
We want the following:
Prius Sport (2-door performance hybrid)
Prius Wagon (4-door wagon for families)
Prius SUV (4-cyl hybrid SUV, make it bigger than a RAV4 and smaller than a Highlander)
Prius regular (continue to improve the 04-09 Prius)
Prius pickup (4x4 Tacoma with battery, couple with 4-cylinder engine).
Thank you.
Reply
Dennis McGrath 10:35AM (9/17/2008)
ixth? (icksthuppt)?
kinda how Daffy Duck would say it?
or won-x-thuppth?
whatta revoltin' development ...
Reply
rj 11:40AM (9/17/2008)
exthhhellent
Rojo 2:30PM (9/17/2008)
I don't see why they would consider a Prius brand rather than an expanded Prius line with the Toyota badge. If they started a Prius brand, what then happens to their other hybrids under Toyota? Do they go back to all gasoline?
Why spend the extra money and resources on a separate brand when they sell just fine and have a green enough image as it is? Considering the way the market is moving, wouldn't they rather keep the green streak on the Toyota brand rather than making the company relation more obscure?
Current dealerships would either be left out in the cold or forced to chop Toyota inventory to carry the new brand as well; I don't see that being a very popular move as dealerships are having a hard enough time moving inventory as it is (unless your name is Mini).
Sounds like a great plan to me! ... for GM.
Reply
Gary 11:05AM (9/18/2008)
I agree.