AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Toyota sells over four million hybrids worldwide]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/toyota-sells-over-four-million-hybrids-worldwide/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/toyota-sells-over-four-million-hybrids-worldwide/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/toyota-sells-over-four-million-hybrids-worldwide/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Toyota Prius V

A million here, a million there. Sooner or later, those numbers add up.

Toyota announced today it has sold over four million hybrids around the world since introducing the first Prius in Japan all the way back in 1997. Sales were slow, at first, but the pace is now picking up. For example, it was around 14 months ago that Toyota announced it had sold three million hybrids around the world. With the sales success of the newly introduced V, C and Plug-In models and Toyota looking for hybrid production capacity in the U.S., we imagine it won't take another 14 months to sell the next million. Especially since Toyota now sells a total of 18 different hybrid models around the world and make up 15 percent of the company's overall sales. You can see a timeline and lots of numbers in the press release below.

Continue reading Toyota sells over four million hybrids worldwide

Toyota sells over four million hybrids worldwide originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 May 2012 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hybrid salespriustoyotatoyota hybridtoyota hybrid salestoyota hybridstoyota priusTue, 22 May 2012 18:16:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20243059/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20243059/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/22/toyota-sells-over-four-million-hybrids-worldwide/20243059/article-detail.xml 20243059 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-v-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-v-review.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota Prius Habitent turn your hybrid into a sleeper car]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/toyota-prius-habitent-turn-your-hybrid-into-a-sleeper-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/toyota-prius-habitent-turn-your-hybrid-into-a-sleeper-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/toyota-prius-habitent-turn-your-hybrid-into-a-sleeper-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

toyota prius tent

Sold on eBay for $90 (plus a $10 shipping fee), the Habitents Toyota Prius tent turns your Liftback model (2003-present model years) into an efficient little camper. We're not sure why using this is any easier than just setting up an actual tent or what, really, it gets you, but maybe we're just not the target market. At least the Habitent packs small - the sellers say it fits into the glove compartment - which appeals to our sense of frugality. It's better looking than the Prius Relax Cabin conversion, that's for sure.

When all set up, the Prius tent offers around 80 by 40 inches of sleeping space and a large zippered door and windows. Of course, if you're going to be using your Prius as your bed, you can't be carrying too much luggage as it's just take up your napping area. We suppose you could put your stuff into waterproof - maybe animalproof, depending on where you're camping - containers to leave outside overnight, so the right person or couple could make this work.

Check out a video of how to set up the Prius tent below.

Continue reading Toyota Prius Habitent turn your hybrid into a sleeper car

Toyota Prius Habitent turn your hybrid into a sleeper car originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 21 May 2012 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car tenthabitentpriusprius camperprius tenttoyotatoyota prius campertoyota prius camper vantoyota prius tentMon, 21 May 2012 12:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20241788/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20241788/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/21/toyota-prius-habitent-turn-your-hybrid-into-a-sleeper-car/20241788/article-detail.xml 20241788 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/habitents-toyota-prius-tent_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/habitents-toyota-prius-tent.png <![CDATA[IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Toyota Prius C

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crowned two eco-friendly new models as Top Safety Picks: the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco and 2012 Toyota Prius c. The redesigned 2013 Malibu joins its 2012 model-mate as a Top Pick, and the 2013 earned a good side impact rating even without its optional side airbags.

The Prius c also has siblings that have won the award, the Prius and Prius v. Also earning top honors in the latest round of testing is the redesigned Hyundai Azera. The Top Pick moniker is given to vehicles that score "Good" in the IIHS's front, side, rollover and rear-impact tests.

Have a look below for video of the Malibu and Prius c going through their side-impact exams.

Continue reading IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video]

IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 hyundai azera2012 toyota prius c2013 chevrolet malibu ecochevroletiihsInsurance Institute for Highway Safetymalibupriusprius cTop Safety PicktoyotaThu, 17 May 2012 09:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239689/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239689/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/20239689/article-detail.xml 20239689 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-prius-c_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-prius-c.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/evs-why-toyota-set-sales-numbers-for-rav4-ev-at-just-2-600/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/evs-why-toyota-set-sales-numbers-for-rav4-ev-at-just-2-600/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/evs-why-toyota-set-sales-numbers-for-rav4-ev-at-just-2-600/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

toyota rav4 ev

Last week, Toyota unveiled the all-new RAV4 EV and announced two important numbers: a $49,800 MSRP and a sales target of just 2,600 over the next three years. There's more to the story, though, as told to us by Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of Toyota Division at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. The short version is that Toyota has taken the Prius lesson incredibly seriously.

We are the first to market with an SUV and we think that counts for quite a bit.

To wit: in creating the new Prius family, Toyota listened to the Prius rejectors about why they were not going to buy a Prius. They wanted more room (now see the Prius V) or a lower price (Prius C). Carter said that the strategy worked, and that 79 percent of Prius C buyers and 67 percent of Prius V buyers are new to hybrid technology. The Prius Plug-In went through the same process, going on the road for over two years before launch. The hybrid represents Toyota's "small battery approach to electrification" and has sold surprisingly well thus far. With the RAV4 EV, Carter said, "We've created a compelling product," with "full Toyota quality," he said. Even though the RAV4 EV went from concept to production in less than two years. A typical vehicle takes almost four years. "There was no template for this project. There were no guidelines. Just a challenge to bring to market a premium EV. Toyota and Tesla engineers both rose to that challenge," he said.

Continue reading EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600

EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 May 2012 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob cartercindy knightcompliance carelectric vehicleevsevs26rav4rav4 evtoyotatoyota rav4toyota rav4 evzevzev mandateMon, 14 May 2012 11:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237352/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237352/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/14/evs-why-toyota-set-sales-numbers-for-rav4-ev-at-just-2-600/20237352/article-detail.xml 20237352 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-toyota-rav4-ev-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-toyota-rav4-ev-628.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota Prius Plug-In third fastest-selling car in America]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/toyota-prius-plug-in-third-fastest-selling-car-in-america/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/toyota-prius-plug-in-third-fastest-selling-car-in-america/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/toyota-prius-plug-in-third-fastest-selling-car-in-america/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota Prius Plug-In

The good people at Cars.com have slogged their way through sales data from April and found something interesting. The Toyota Prius Plug-In managed to walk away as the third quickest-selling car in the U.S., spending just five days on dealer lots. That figure was good enough to land it behind the BMW X3 and X5, both of which take four days to find a new homes. The plug-in hybrid has only been on sale for two months, and took the honor of being the second-quickest selling vehicle in March, according to Cars.com.

The report also took the time to look at the slowest-selling models around. Surprisingly, the Porsche Boxster sits at the top of that list, taking a whopping 250 days to turn. The 2012 BMW 6 Series isn't doing much better. The 650i Convertible took fourth place with an average of 128 days on the lot while the 640i Coupe rounds out the top 10 with 111 days. Perhaps even more shocking is the news that there are four vehicles selling slower than the Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet at 120 days on dealer lots. Head over to Cars.com for the full report.

Toyota Prius Plug-In third fastest-selling car in America originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 May 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 toyota prius plug-inaprilbest-selling carsfastest selling carsplug-inprius plug-inslowest selling carstoyotatoyota prius plug-inThu, 10 May 2012 09:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235106/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235106/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/toyota-prius-plug-in-third-fastest-selling-car-in-america/20235106/article-detail.xml 20235106 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-prius-plug-in-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-prius-plug-in-628.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/toyota-rav4-ev-priced-at-49-800/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/toyota-rav4-ev-priced-at-49-800/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/toyota-rav4-ev-priced-at-49-800/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Toyota RAV4 EV

Announced almost two years ago, Toyota finally gave us some more details about the was the all-electric RAV4 EV will be sold to the general public during the 26th Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles today. The important number? The MSRP for what Toyota calls a "fully-equipped" RAV4 EV is $49,800 and will be available before the end of the year.

Toyota says the RAV4 EV's range is 100 miles and that the car will charge from empty in approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The new RAV4 EV has LED and halogen headlights and it has special "environmental blue" color emblems on the outside. The vehicle will be made at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc., plant in Woodstock, Ontario. The first generation of the new RAV4 EV was unveiled back at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. Our First Drive report is here.

With a battery and powertrain designed by Tesla, the new RAV4 EV certainly appears to be one of the new breed of compliance EVs. We had heard that the RAV4 EV will be lease only, but the official press release says the car "will go on sale in late summer 2012 through select dealers, initially in four major California metropolitan markets." Those markets are Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego and the news matches the rumor we heard last year, that sales about be limited to California. In all, Toyota hopes to sell just 2,600 units in the next three years. Nissan Leaf, you've got nothing to worry about.

Continue reading Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800

Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleevsevs26msrprav4rav4 electricrav4 evrav4 ev priceteslatoyotatoyota rav4toyota rav4 electricMon, 07 May 2012 15:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232350/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232350/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/toyota-rav4-ev-priced-at-49-800/20232350/article-detail.xml 20232350 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyotarav4evopt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyotarav4evopt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota TS030 and Audi R18 e-tron Quattro pose for the camera]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/05/toyota-ts030-and-audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-pose-for-the-camera/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/05/toyota-ts030-and-audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-pose-for-the-camera/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/05/toyota-ts030-and-audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-pose-for-the-camera/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Toyota TS030 Hybrid and Audi R18 e-tron Quattro

While the Toyota TS030 Hybrid won't be participating in this weekend's FIA World Endurance Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium due to a crash in pre-season testing last month, that didn't stop the automaker from bringing the new endurance racer as a preview for what's to come for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The TS030 even made time for a quick photoshoot at the infamous Masta Kink alongside the new Audi R18 e-tron Quattro, which happens to be making its race debut this weekend.

While both the Audi and Toyota employ hybrid powertrains, a first for endurance prototypes, each go about it in very different ways. The TS030 makes use of a naturally aspirated 3.4-liter V8 while the R18 e-tron Quattro uses a turbocharged diesel V6. Audi's hybrid system powers the front wheels, hence the Quattro name, while Toyota has yet to announce whether it's system will drive the front or rear wheels.

The closed cockpit racers make for quite an attractive couple, and we hope it's a pairing that will form a lasting rivalry in the coming years.

Toyota TS030 and Audi R18 e-tron Quattro pose for the camera originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 05 May 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi r18 e-tron quattrofia world endurance championshipr18spa francorchampstoyotatoyota ts030toyota ts030 hybridts030Sat, 05 May 2012 15:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230913/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230913/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/05/toyota-ts030-and-audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-pose-for-the-camera/20230913/article-detail.xml 20230913 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-ts030-spa-2012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-ts030-spa-2012.jpg <![CDATA[Prius Plug-in helps Toyota extend lead for April's alt-fuel sales]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



"Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."

The classic couplet from the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" applies to April's alt-fuel vehicle sales, as Toyota not only continued to dominate the hybrid market, but also shoved aside the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf in plug-in vehicle sales. Last month, Toyota sold 1,654 Prius Plug-in Hybrids. That total beat the 1,462 Volts sold and dominated the Leaf's 370 units sold in April.

The new Prius variant's popularity also helped Toyota easily continue its reign as the most popular seller of alt-fuel vehicles to the U.S. while helping push total alt-fuel sales far beyond year-earlier figures despite the fact that last month's 24 selling days were three fewer than the 27 selling days in April 2011.

Overall U.S. sales of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric and diesel-powered vehicles jumped more than 50 percent from a year earlier to almost 50,000 vehicles, as Americans stepped up alt-fuel sales to cope with continually high gas prices.

Coming off its most successful single month of sales since its introduction to the U.S. in 2000, the Prius doubled its April sales from a year earlier. The "standard" Prius Liftback sales increased 26 percent from a year earlier, while the Prius C compact and Prius V wagon moved 4,006 and 3,847 units, respectively.

That success carried through to other Toyota-produced models, as non-Prius Toyota hybrids (i.e. the Camry and Highlander) tripled sales from a year earlier, likely because of the upgraded Toyota Camry Hybrid that debuted late last year. And Lexus hybrid sales were up 4.5 percent to 2,467 units. Overall, Toyota and Lexus hybrid sales doubled from a year earlier to 32,593 vehicles and, as usual, accounted for about two-thirds of the U.S. alt-fuel market.

Toyota and Lexus hybrids appeared to gain favor with U.S. consumers looking to save money amid gas prices that, until last month, had been rising all year. Regular gas prices jumped to about $3.90 a gallon in early April, up from about $3.35 at the beginning of the year, before tapering off to about $3.80 a gallon this week, according to AAA.

The effect of gas prices on sales of alt-fuel vehicles from other automakers ran the gamut. General Motors followed a monthly-record March for its Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in with 1,462 sales in April, almost triple year-earlier figures. Factoring in mild-hybrid models such as the Buick LaCrosse, Buick Regal and Chevy Malibu eAssist-powered vehicles, GM's alt-fuel sales jumped fivefold to 4,500 units.

Volkswagen, which hasn't jumped into the electric-drive market yet, boosted its clean diesel sales by 35 percent from a year earlier to 7,993 units. On a smaller scale, Porsche increased its hybrid sales by 22 percent from a year earlier to 130 vehicles, while the Mitsubishi i battery-electric moved 79 models, hitting its monthly U.S. record for the third straight month.

Not faring so well were Nissan, Honda and Ford. Nissan sold 370 Leafs in April, marking a 35-percent drop from a year earlier and a 36-percent decline from March.

Honda's Civic Hybrid sales jumped sixfold to 766 units, but that wasn't enough to offset a plunge in both CR-Z and Insight sales. Overall, Honda hybrid sales dropped 60 percent from a year earlier to 1,839 vehicles.

As for Ford, hybrid sales plunged 59 percent from a year earlier to 1,175 vehicles, as the automaker discontinued the Escape Hybrid and had sales declines for both the Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. That said, Ford is on the verge of introducing its Focus Electric to the U.S., so things could get real interesting right quick.

Prius Plug-in helps Toyota extend lead for April's alt-fuel sales originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april saleschevroletelectric vehiclefocus electricfordileafmitsubishinissanplug-in hybridpriusprius plug-intoyotavoltThu, 03 May 2012 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229604/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229604/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/20229604/article-detail.xml 20229604 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/green-vehicle-sales-1332146386_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/green-vehicle-sales-1332146386.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/toyota-prius-plug-in-sells-1-654-copies-in-april-beating-chevy/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/toyota-prius-plug-in-sells-1-654-copies-in-april-beating-chevy/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/toyota-prius-plug-in-sells-1-654-copies-in-april-beating-chevy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 prius plug-in hybrid

The Toyota Prius, the most popular hybrid in the world, was also the most popular plug-in vehicle in U.S. last month.

Compared to sales of the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf, which sold 1,462 and 370 units, respectively, the $32,000 Prius Plug-in quietly sold 1,654 copies in April, reports PluginCars. With such strong name recognition and pent-up demand for a Prius with a cord, this shouldn't really have been a surprise. But it still kind of is.

But, really, it shouldn't be, since Toyota sold more Prius models in the U.S. last month than ever before in April (March 2012 was the Prius' best month ever), even though the number of selling days was short. The four members of the "Prius family" sold a combined 25,168 units, an increase of 126.9 percent compared to April 2011 (which was right after the Japanese tsunami). Overall, Toyota and Lexus sold 32,593 hybrids last month, 30,126 of them wearing the Toyota badge, 2,467 of them the upper class Lexus models.

Last year, Toyota said it expects to sell 16,000-17,000 Prius Plug-in models in 2012. Since Toyota doesn't break out model numbers, we're not sure what the total is for the year thus far, but 1,654 plug-ins a month will certainly let the company hit that target.

Continue reading Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf

Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 May 2012 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hybrid salesplug-in hybridpriusprius phevprius plug-inprius salestoyotatoyota priusWed, 02 May 2012 13:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229340/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229340/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/toyota-prius-plug-in-sells-1-654-copies-in-april-beating-chevy/20229340/article-detail.xml 20229340 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/0010-2012-toyota-prius-plug-in-hybrid-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/0010-2012-toyota-prius-plug-in-hybrid-628.jpg <![CDATA['All new' Toyota RAV4 EV coming to EVS26 next week]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/new-toyota-rav4-ev-coming-to-evs26-next-week/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/new-toyota-rav4-ev-coming-to-evs26-next-week/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/new-toyota-rav4-ev-coming-to-evs26-next-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

toyota rav4 ev electric badge

There could not be a more bland teaser for the upcoming all-electric "all new" Toyota RAV4 EV than the one Toyota just released: silver sheetmetal with a badge that simply reads "Electric." To see the rest of the vehicle, we will have to wait until the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS) gets started in Los Angeles next week. Luckily, we will be in LA with a camera or two and will bring you the full details from the show Monday, May 7. For now, all we know is what we've learned about the prototype that Toyota and Tesla have been showing for a while. For example, it will likely only be sold in California. Read our Quick Spin here.

Speaking of EVS, what's kind of surprising is that this year is the 26th edition of the show. Yes, even as we're just seeing the dawn of the modern EV era, some groups have been working on these vehicles for decades. It's a long road to get off of gasoline.

Continue reading 'All new' Toyota RAV4 EV coming to EVS26 next week

'All new' Toyota RAV4 EV coming to EVS26 next week originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 toyota rav4 ev2014 toyota rav4 evelectric vehicle symposiumevsevs 26evs26international electric vehicle symposiumrav4rav4 evtoyotatoyota electric vehicletoyota rav4 evMon, 30 Apr 2012 13:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227385/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227385/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/30/new-toyota-rav4-ev-coming-to-evs26-next-week/20227385/article-detail.xml 20227385 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/rav4-ev-electric-badge-teaser-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/rav4-ev-electric-badge-teaser-628.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota looking for high-volume Prius assembly in U.S. by 2015]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/toyota-looking-for-high-volume-prius-assembly-in-u-s-by-2015/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/toyota-looking-for-high-volume-prius-assembly-in-u-s-by-2015/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/toyota-looking-for-high-volume-prius-assembly-in-u-s-by-2015/#commentsFiled under: , ,

toyota prius

Rumors that Toyota would some day build the Prius in the U.S. have bounced around for years, with a location in Mississippi often being cited as the most likely candidate. After that plan was officially scrapped in 2008, a new version of the same story returned in 2010 when a Toyota executive vice president said Mississippi Prius production could start up in 2016. Given the on-again, off-again history of the story we weren't surprised when not much was officially said about the matter in the last two years. That changed today.

Koei Saga, senior managing officer in charge of drivetrain R&D at Toyota, told Automotive News that Toyota is now thinking of making the Prius in the U.S. by 2015 and wants to get hybrid drivetrain components - motors, inverters, batteries (likely lithium-ion packs, Saga said) - from North American suppliers. The base fourth-gen Prius will probably still use nickel-metal hydride batteries, but the batteries made in the U.S. might be li-ion.

A 2015 timetable means it is likely that America would make the fourth-gen Prius model, which is due around that time. The reason this story keeps coming back is because it makes sense to build the Prius in the U.S. Sales are strong here and expected to grow, so extra production somewhere is needed to meet demand. Plus, a strong yen means that Prius vehicles built in America would likely come at a lower cost to Toyota.

Toyota currently makes the Camry hybrid in the U.S. at its plant in Georgetown, KY. The question of whether the U.S. Prius would be made there, at Toyota's Mississippi plant, at Tesla's plant in Fremont, CA (formerly known as NUMMI) - where rumors about Toyota and the electric car automaker building electric cars like the RAV4 EV have also floated around in the past - or somewhere else completely will need to be answered at another time.

Toyota looking for high-volume Prius assembly in U.S. by 2015 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>priusprius georgetownprius mississippiprius nummiprius productionprius salestoyota priusu.s. production toyota priusMon, 30 Apr 2012 10:21:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227135/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227135/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/30/toyota-looking-for-high-volume-prius-assembly-in-u-s-by-2015/20227135/article-detail.xml 20227135 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-628f_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-628f.jpg <![CDATA[Prius 'trucker' tows Harley motorcycles across U.S.]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/25/prius-trucker-tows-harley-motorcycles-across-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/25/prius-trucker-tows-harley-motorcycles-across-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/25/prius-trucker-tows-harley-motorcycles-across-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It's been said that God rides a Harley. Now we have a Toyota Prius that tows them.

uShip, a community of about 250,000 registered carriers, posted a blog item last week about a Prius driver who uses his hybrid to tow motorcycles across the U.S.

Adam Winters is the man behind Green Technology Transportation and now drives about 20,000 miles a month shipping motorcycles around the country. With hybrid adapted to tow bike, he can now undercut other shippers on price because his fuel economy is - surprise! - far better than the typical pickup or semi. Winters also said he has an advantage because the Prius' relatively small size makes city deliveries easier. Who needs motorcycles shipped across country? Winters said much of his business comes from people who buy motorcycles sight unseen on eBay.

Prius convoy, anyone?

Prius 'trucker' tows Harley motorcycles across U.S. originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam wintersebayhybrid motorcyclemotorcycle deliverypriusprius hybridprius motorcycletoyota priusushipWed, 25 Apr 2012 14:12:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20223999/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20223999/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/25/prius-trucker-tows-harley-motorcycles-across-u-s/20223999/article-detail.xml 20223999 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/priustrucker_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/priustrucker.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota Dear Qin hatch, sedan foreshadow new global FWD models [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/toyota-dear-qin-hatch-sedan-foreshadow-new-global-fwd-models/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/toyota-dear-qin-hatch-sedan-foreshadow-new-global-fwd-models/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/toyota-dear-qin-hatch-sedan-foreshadow-new-global-fwd-models/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota Dear Qin hatchback concept - on display in Beijing

Toyota Dear Qin sedan concept - on display in BeijingDetails on the pair of Dear Qin concepts that Toyota unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show this week are sparse, but they do hint at something interesting coming to every market where the Japanese automaker sells cars.

Calling them "global-strategic concepts," Toyota says the sedan and hatchback versions of the Dear Qin models have "a design aiming to attract more people to the user base." With that curious statement in mind, the first promotional video for the Dear Qin models (which you watch by scrolling below) is both language- and information-free, emphasizing the design of the cars for a global audience. With explosions and lightning, of course.

Reports have said that Toyota is working on a new global, front-wheel drive model that is supposed to be launched in 2013. We can imagine these concepts foreshadowing those cars, and hope we get a pair of highly efficient compacts out of the design process. We'll skip the explosions and lightning, though.

Continue reading Toyota Dear Qin hatch, sedan foreshadow new global FWD models [w/video]

Toyota Dear Qin hatch, sedan foreshadow new global FWD models [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingbeijing 2012beijing motor showdear qintoyota concepttoyota dear qintoyota fwd compacetoyota qinTue, 24 Apr 2012 16:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20223157/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20223157/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/24/toyota-dear-qin-hatch-sedan-foreshadow-new-global-fwd-models/20223157/article-detail.xml 20223157 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/toyota-dear-concept-hatchback-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/toyota-dear-concept-hatchback-628.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota debuts China-only Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept in Beijing]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/toyota-debuts-china-only-yundong-shuangqing-hybrid-concept/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/toyota-debuts-china-only-yundong-shuangqing-hybrid-concept/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/toyota-debuts-china-only-yundong-shuangqing-hybrid-concept/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept - live Beijing reveal

It's not the most pronounceable model name, but that's not our problem, is it?

Toyota debuted its sharply styled Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept at the Beijing Motor Show today, announcing that a production version will be sold in China at some point in the future. The Yundong Shuangqing was joined on stage by the Dear Qin compact and the GT 86 rear-wheel-drive sports car.

Toyota developed the Yundong Shuangqing's hybrid powertrain mainly at the automaker's research and development plant in Changshu, China. "We would like to put smiles on the faces of our Chinese customers with hybrid technology," Toyota President Akio Toyoda said in prepared remarks at the show. "I want the people of China to be able to experience the beauty of hybrid technology through a hybrid car born in China."

In 2005, China became the first place outside of Japan where the Prius hybrid was built when Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. started making the third-generation model. And two years ago, GAC Toyota Motor Co., which is in China's Guangdong Province, started making the Camry Hybrid.

Earlier this month, Honda said it would launch at least four hybrids specifically for the Chinese market under either its moniker or the Acura brand in order to capitalize on what's likely to be surging car sales in that country. Honda will introduce the CR-Z, Fit and Insight Hybrids in China later this year, and will likely sell its promised hybrid-powered Acura NSX sports car in China as well.

Continue reading Toyota debuts China-only Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept in Beijing

Toyota debuts China-only Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept in Beijing originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>86beijingchinaconcepthybridqintoyotaYundong ShuangqingMon, 23 Apr 2012 18:35:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20222241/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20222241/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/23/toyota-debuts-china-only-yundong-shuangqing-hybrid-concept/20222241/article-detail.xml 20222241 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/toyota-yundong-shuangqing-concept-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/toyota-yundong-shuangqing-concept-628.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota announces service campaign to fix exhaust on 28,000 Prius V hybrids]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/toyota-announces-service-campaign-to-fix-prius-v-exhaust-problem/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/toyota-announces-service-campaign-to-fix-prius-v-exhaust-problem/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/toyota-announces-service-campaign-to-fix-prius-v-exhaust-problem/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Toyota Prius V

Toyota engineers worked hard to get the emissions that come out of the tailpipe of the Prius V down to a low level, but that doesn't mean that everything is copacetic with the car's exhaust system. To fix a known problem, Toyota has announced a service campaign for the Prius V, both in the U.S. and Japan.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the problem is with "weak actuators-control mechanisms" in the exhaust-heat-recovery systems that can end up leaking engine coolant, which will then force the car into a "safe" mode. Some second-gen, 2004-07 standard Prius models were affected by a similar problem in the past.

The new issue affects about 8,000 vehicles in Japan, 20,000 in North America. Prius V owners will get the problem fixed for free.

Toyota announces service campaign to fix exhaust on 28,000 Prius V hybrids originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 toyota priuspriusprius vtoyotatoyota priustoyota prius vFri, 13 Apr 2012 18:09:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20215588/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20215588/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/13/toyota-announces-service-campaign-to-fix-prius-v-exhaust-problem/20215588/article-detail.xml 20215588 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-v-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-v-review.jpg <![CDATA[Hybrids lead fastest growing segment but still may not be worth the extra price]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

toyota prius

Hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electrics accounted for the fastest-growing U.S. vehicle segment in terms of first-quarter sales, though they still may not be worth the extra price if all you're looking for is payback through lower refueling costs, according to separate reports.

First-quarter electric-drive vehicle sales jumped 49 percent from a year earlier to more than 117,000 vehicles, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. With such growth - both the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid and the Toyota Prius hybrid set monthly sales records in March - GM cut its previously planned production shutdown from four weeks to five and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicle sales could grow further starting later this year once U.S. production of the car get underway. Domestic production might also lowering the EVs cost in America.

Last month, sales of hybrids, plug-ins and diesels rose almost 40 percent. In addition to the Prius and Volt, sales of the Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen diesels and General Motors' eAssist-powered mild hybrids such as the Buick LaCrosse and Chevy Malibu also jumped substantially.

The growth rate likely reflects the effect of both rising gas prices and year-earlier supply constraints on models such as the Prius stemming from the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last March. Regular gas prices are approaching $4 a gallon, up about 60 cents this year, according to AAA.

Still, most hybrids would take more than a decade to pay off their higher costs in the form of lower refueling expenses, and that scenario wouldn't change even if gas prices were to rise to $5 a gallon, the New York Times reports, using data compiled by automotive research website TrueCar.com.

The Times says models such as the Prius and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid pay back their owners within two years, but a car like the Ford Fusion Hybrid takes more than eight years to pay off at $4 a gallon and 15,000 miles a year driven. And even with gas prices at $6 a gallon, hybrid versions of the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata would still take four years to pay off. Even with gas at $5 a gallon, a Nissan Leaf would take nine years to pay off the difference between is price and that of the Nissan Versa. Relative to the Chevy Cruze, the Volt could take a quarter-century to pay off.

We wondered about those numbers. The only comparisons that can honestly be made are between cars that have ICE-only and hybrid versions. So we did some math. The 2.5-liter I4 Fusion gets 25 miles per gallon combined and costs $24,970. Thus, fuel for 15,000 miles at $4.00 would be $2,400. The Fusion Hybrid gets 39 mpg combined and costs $29,570. Fuel for 15,000 miles in this car would be $1,538. So, the difference per year is $862. Given this, the Hybrid would pay back the initial price difference of $4,600 in 5.3 years, not eight. Of course, if you compare either of the more expensive and thirstier V6 versions, the numbers are even more favorable (2.8 years for the 3.0 V6, for example).

Perhaps buyers are driven by something other than payback times, like simply using less fuel. Whatever the reason, some lower-priced hybrids seem to be making a case that the extra price is worth it. For example, there were more Toyota Prius C compacts sold within its first three days on the market in March than Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicles and Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-ins in all of February.

Hybrids lead fastest growing segment but still may not be worth the extra price originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletelectric vehicleelectric-driveleafnissanpaybackplug-in hybridpriustoyotavoltMon, 09 Apr 2012 20:08:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210443/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210443/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/20210443/article-detail.xml 20210443 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-628f_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-628f.jpg <![CDATA[One and Done: Study says most hybrid drivers don't buy another]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/one-and-done-study-says-most-hybrid-drivers-dont-buy-another/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/one-and-done-study-says-most-hybrid-drivers-dont-buy-another/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/one-and-done-study-says-most-hybrid-drivers-dont-buy-another/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 Toyota Prius C hybrid - front three-quarter view, orange

How much do hybrid drivers really, truly like their cars? According to R.L. Polk, not all that much - at least not in 2011.

Polk has released a new hybrid loyalty analysis that concludes that only 35 percent of people who bought a hybrid bought another one last year. The data comes from car purchases made in 2011, and Polk found that Toyota Prius drivers are the most loyal, both to the gas-electric technology and to Toyota itself. Sixty percent of Toyota hybrid owners bought another vehicle from the automaker, even if it wasn't a hybrid. A recent J.D. Power Customer Retention Study found that the average brand loyalty was 49 percent, but that doesn't take powertrains into account.

According to Polk, forty-one percent of Toyota hybrid drivers choose to buy another hybrid (from any brand). Interestingly, when Polk took out these Toyota buyers from their results, hybrid loyalty rates dropped to "under 25 percent." However, in our book that's kind of skewing the numbers, since most hybrids sold in the U.S. are built by Toyota. When looking only at Honda hybrid drivers, for example, 52 percent bought another Honda and "just under 20 percent" purchased another hybrid (from any brand). The in-brand loyalty, says Brad Smith, director of Polk's Loyalty Management Practice, shows that hybrids "can certainly give a brand a competitive edge when it comes to attracting new customers."

What's perhaps most interesting is that changes in gas prices, "had little impact on hybrid segment loyalty," according to Polk. In the company's quarterly hybrid analysis from 2008 through 2011, loyalty rates ranged from 26.4 to 41.8 percent, but spent most of the time in the 30s. See more details of the study in the official Polk press release by scrolling below.

Continue reading One and Done: Study says most hybrid drivers don't buy another

One and Done: Study says most hybrid drivers don't buy another originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 toyota priushybridhybrid buyershybrid loyaltyhybrid saleshybrid sales loyaltyowner loyaltypolkpolk loyaltypriusrl polktoyota priusMon, 09 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20211221/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20211221/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/09/one-and-done-study-says-most-hybrid-drivers-dont-buy-another/20211221/article-detail.xml 20211221 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/03-2012-toyota-prius-c-fd-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/03-2012-toyota-prius-c-fd-628.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota Prius sales surge 54% from a year earlier to monthly record]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/toyota-prius-sales-surge-54-from-a-year-earlier-to-monthly-reco/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/toyota-prius-sales-surge-54-from-a-year-earlier-to-monthly-reco/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/04/toyota-prius-sales-surge-54-from-a-year-earlier-to-monthly-reco/#commentsFiled under: ,



Toyota looked to redeem a relatively slow year for Prius sales in 2011 by broadening its lineup for the world's best-selling hybrid. By the looks of its sales last month, the strategy is working.

The Japanese automaker sold 28,711 Prius hybrids in March, the all-time U.S. monthly record since introducing the model stateside in 2000. Prius sales were up 54 percent from a year earlier and helped push total Toyota Motor Sales USA sales up 15 percent. The Camry Hybrid, which got an update late last year, boosted sales by 35 percent from a year earlier and set an all-time March record.

Toyota appears to be benefiting from rising gas prices in the U.S. The average price of a gallon of regular gas has risen about 60 cents this year and is approaching the $4 mark, AAA reports. Further pushing Prius sales is a broader range of models, including the Prius C compact and the Prius V wagon that were both introduced in the U.S. this year.

Toyota's Prius surge relative to year-earlier numbers has also been accentuated by the fact that the earthquake and ensuing tsunami that struck Japan last March constrained Toyota's supply chain and hurt dealer inventory in the U.S.

Continue reading Toyota Prius sales surge 54% from a year earlier to monthly record

Toyota Prius sales surge 54% from a year earlier to monthly record originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hybridhybrid salesmarchpriusprius cprius vrecordsalestoyotatoyota salesWed, 04 Apr 2012 07:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20208009/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20208009/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/04/toyota-prius-sales-surge-54-from-a-year-earlier-to-monthly-reco/20208009/article-detail.xml 20208009 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/priusc0315_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/priusc0315.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota increases Prius V price by $150]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/toyota-increases-prius-v-price-by-150-other-hybrids-also-more/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/toyota-increases-prius-v-price-by-150-other-hybrids-also-more/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/30/toyota-increases-prius-v-price-by-150-other-hybrids-also-more/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Toyota Prius V

Toyota thinks you should pay a little bit more for its cars, starting in May.

Today, the automaker announced small but measurable price increases pretty much across the board for its Toyota brand lineup and for two Scion models, with the most surprising being a $150 hike in the price of the 2012 Toyota Prius V. This car just went on sale a few months ago, but the MSRP for each of the Two, Three and Five models has gone up $150 and now sits at $26,550, $27,315 and $30,140, respectively. No reason was given for the increase. The cost for the cheapest and very popular Prius, the C, remains the same, starting at $18,950.

The Camry Hybrid also gets a price boost by $90 or $100, depending on trim line, and the Highlander Hybrid will soon cost $175 more. None of these prices include the destination fees and you can see all the details - including numbers for the Tacoma - after the jump.

Continue reading Toyota increases Prius V price by $150

Toyota increases Prius V price by $150 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>priusprius priceprius vprius v pricetoyotatoyota prius vFri, 30 Mar 2012 14:07:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20205034/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20205034/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/30/toyota-increases-prius-v-price-by-150-other-hybrids-also-more/20205034/article-detail.xml 20205034 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-v-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-v-review.jpg <![CDATA[BMW, Toyota start next-gen li-ion battery research partnership]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/bmw-toyota-start-next-gen-li-ion-battery-research-partnership/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/bmw-toyota-start-next-gen-li-ion-battery-research-partnership/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/bmw-toyota-start-next-gen-li-ion-battery-research-partnership/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Toyota BMW MOU

BMW is more than willing to align itself with other automakers in the race to develop future technologies, including a partnership with GM on hydrogen fuel cells and a deal with Toyota for diesel engines. Late last year, BMW and Toyota signed a memorandum of understanding (pictured) that said the two companies would work together to create new green technologies. Today, we learned a few more details about the plan to make better electric vehicle batteries with the news that the two companies have now signed a joint research agreement for better next-generation lithium-ion battery cells.

Specifically, BMW said in a statement, the project will try to increase "the performance and capacity of lithium-ion battery cells through the use of new combinations of materials for cathodes, anodes and electrolytes." That's not as exciting as testing a new vehicle, but when better batteries get to cars on the market, we'll be thankful someone took the time to figure it all out.

Continue reading BMW, Toyota start next-gen li-ion battery research partnership

BMW, Toyota start next-gen li-ion battery research partnership originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw toyotabmw toyota li-ion batterybmw toyota partnershipelectric vehicleli-ion batterylithium ion batteriesplug-in hybridtoyotaTue, 27 Mar 2012 11:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20201813/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20201813/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/27/bmw-toyota-start-next-gen-li-ion-battery-research-partnership/20201813/article-detail.xml 20201813 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/toyotabmw628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/toyotabmw628.jpg -1 2