Toyota: Prius solar sunroof much more popular than expected
2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery
The undeniable success of the 2010 Prius surely has Toyota breathing a sigh of relief. Still, even good news sometimes comes with a caveat, and that's reportedly true of the Japanese automaker's latest fuel sipper. According to Wards Auto, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. President Jim Lentz expects that the automaker will sell about 140,000 Prius hybrids here in the States, which falls well short of the 180,000 units sold in 2007.
It seems Toyota could likely sell considerably more Prius hybrids if it could make them fast enough, but as has been reported, battery constraints are holding up production. Another item that Toyota is having trouble supplying enough of is reportedly the solar sunroof option. Toyota had expected that between two and three percent of all Prius hybrids would be equipped with the sun-soaking option. In reality, Lentz reports "demand has been running closer to 12%."
Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius
[Source: Wards Auto via All About Prius]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
nrb 3:15PM (8/13/2009)
There is not a solar sunroof option. There is a $3600 (yikes) package that includes the sunroof, navigation system, and upgraded stereo. Maybe most of these people wanted the NAV system.
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Nozferat 4:26PM (8/13/2009)
I just wanted the nicer rims..but can't event get those separately.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:36PM (8/13/2009)
You can get the NAV without the sunroof. The sunroof is actually the toughest option to get, you have to give up on LED headlights, lane deviation correction and adaptive cruise to get it.
nrb 5:39PM (8/13/2009)
LS, you're correct. My bad. The option was hard (for me) to find. It seems a NAV is possible as a $1800 option, leaving $1800 additional for the sunroof and some speakers.
I still hate the fact that you can't buy the sunroof without also buying a NAV system.
Gary 11:31AM (8/14/2009)
What a waste of money. The headline should say: "Toyota: Prius drivers much more foolish than expected"
DKB_SATX 3:20PM (8/13/2009)
I would have paid a reasonable amount to add a solar ventilation system to my car... my premium-gas-burning AWD turbocharged wagon. It has nothing to do with environmentalism and everything to do with living where it's bloody hot half the year. I'm surprised this isn't a common option on sunbelt cars, it seems like a no-brainer to me, but then again lots of people driving around ARE no-brainers.
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Epyx 3:37PM (8/13/2009)
Mazda had this way back in the early 90's on the 929. It didnt work very well but it was a cool idea (bad pun).
wincros 3:39PM (8/13/2009)
You would think that since it has been used since the 1992 Mazda 929 it would have spread more. Not sure about the Prius application, but Mazda used a sensor to decide whether it was warm enough to need cooling the car. If not, it charged the battery. It is a fairly simple idea that anyone who is handy should be able to do or a cooperative mechanic could do it. Wafer solar cell bonded to the moonroof and a fan mounted over a hole in the floor of the trunk. Connect with wire and a switch. I think the Mazda used an exhaust fan, but that seems like that is working against the natural rise of heat. I think I would set it up to suck in cool air from under the car and tilt up the moonroof to let out the hot air.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:37PM (8/13/2009)
Funny, sounds like you are describing an Audi. It was offered on my 2000 A6 as part of the summer package.
john 3:42PM (8/13/2009)
A solar ventilation fan just makes sense ... I wish this would be an option for more vehicles. The solar panel and fan likely cost less than $300, so most of the cost is probably the installation into the roof and the NAV system, plus an ample margin of profit.
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nrb 5:44PM (8/13/2009)
Looks like they can be had for less than $9.
http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Cool-Solar-Powered-Car/dp/B000GTHU12/ref=pd_sim_auto_1
I'm sure the linked above is a POS, but you get the idea.
lettcco 3:43AM (8/14/2009)
I would like to see an option to put A/C car seat in place...take less energy to cool a seat but you will definitely feel it immediately, not to mention keep your butt cool for those long drive.
john 4:46PM (8/14/2009)
I wonder if any manufacturer makes vehicles with A/C seats. I know there are heated seats, but here it gets so hot in the summer A/C seats would be so nice.
Throwback 3:44PM (8/13/2009)
I suspect dealers have ordered loaded cars knowing there would be early demand and people would pony up whatever is asked. My guess is the solar panel option will drop once the intial demand is met.
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why not the LS2LS7? 4:38PM (8/13/2009)
The solar panel isn't even offered on the most loaded model. You have to go down one model to get it.
Chris M 3:52PM (8/13/2009)
The idea of coming back to a pre-cooled car should be very appealing, no wonder it is in demand.
The Nissan Leaf apparently will have something even better, a remote controlled air conditioner/heater control that works when the car is plugged in to charge. Controls can be accessed via cell phone. Sounds like a major selling point to me.
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Sasparilla 4:00PM (8/13/2009)
This is just funny, shows how far out of it even Toyota can be in they're guesses on what people will want. Anyone who's forking over $25k for the top Hybrid vehicle, who would want to have their car cool (powered from the sun) in the summer before getting in and is a bit of a tech (Prius gets alot of those people) will at least consider this option even for $3k.
Quite frankly I'm suprised its as low as 12%. I have a different Toyota, but have noticed that none of the Priuses at the dealerships (that haven't been sold) I've visited for service have this option. All the ones available have solid metal roofs.
Earth to Toyota on this one - Duh.
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fuel.shy 11:00PM (8/13/2009)
I thought the same thing reading this.
My boyfriend saw the commercial featuring the solar roof and said "that's my next car"
locoyocal 4:43PM (8/13/2009)
They should sell prius without a/c and just the sun-roof. hyper milers will go ecstatic.
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skierpage 7:47PM (8/13/2009)
@locoyocal,
They should sell the Prius without a/c and *without the engine*! Solar charge for 2 days, go 2 miles at 15mph pulsing the electric motor, repeat! :-) Hypermilers would go crazy. :-)
@3PeaceSweet,
Solar photovoltaic attic fans are easy and available, the Solar Star is $385. Solar PV awnings powering a ceiling fan is more a DIY project, though there are a few commercial buildings with solar awnings and lots of Photoshop "design concepts" for solar blinds and shades.
How do you run the fan in cloudy weather? You oversize the PV system, but an awning covered in PV will be expensive, and now you're throwing away free electricity in full sunlight. How do you run the fan at night? Add a battery, but then it's more complicated. So even though there are losses and inefficiencies, you get more for your $$$ with a separate PV system. I wish it was easy to shift your lighting and appliances to a DC system powered by solar; since the 1970s RV and boat owners have been in the forefront of doing this.