Prius sub-brand officially DOA
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Nov 27th 2008 at 8:23AM 
Rumors of a separate brand to carry only hybrids has apparently been ruled out by Toyota. The brand and its dealerships would have carried the Prius logo that has become so synonymous with hybrid cars since Toyota introduced the world to the car in 1997. Previous rumors had indicated that Toyota would launch the Prius brand much as it had the Scion moniker a few years ago.
Despite the end of Prius-brand discussions, the automaker still has big plans for its line of hybrid vehicles. Autocar reports that a wagon, small MPV (like a minivan, but without sliding doors) and a coupe are all likely additions to the current 5-door hatchback that we all know and love.
Also off the table, at least according to Miguel Fonseca, Toyota managing director in the UK, are lithium ion batteries. Fonseca mimics what we've been hearing from the automaker for the last few years, that lithium ion units aren't quite ready for mass production. Whatever the case, the third-gen Prius is still on target to debut in January at the Detroit Auto Show and is expected to be both larger and more efficient than the outgoing model.
[Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brn 5:55PM (11/29/2008)
Are you sure this time?
I've a feeling that I'll see another blog post about the Prius brand within a week.
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2001 Prius Driver 2:06PM (12/02/2008)
Believe it or not, I have 136,000 miles on my 7 year old Prius. I replaced a 12 volt battery and an electric door lock and am going to have some dash lights replaced soon. I changed the tires for a beneficial change in performance. Instead of 20K miles the change nets 60K miles in normal driving. They also don't slide around corners or squeal at slow speed.
I decided to not get a newer Prius because they were ugly and only got 5 miles per gallon better max. I LOVE THE CAR. The 270 volt battery was tested this spring (2008) with no detectable decrease in performance. We drove it round trip from Los Angeles Calif to Mt. Rushmore - 5000 miles - averaging 43 mpg while driving 90 where it was legal. Worst MPG was 32 (up long grades), best MPG was 70 (mostly downhill). I will consider changing in 2010 to the new 75mpg version rumored to be on the way. Probably won't change though.
NIMH batteries ROCK in the right application. I never buy Chevron gas, or any other related gas.
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