Toyota: Prius News
05-16-2005, 05:18 PM
#42
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Are Priuses Stalling Out?
Are Priuses Stalling Out? - - Source: The Car Connection
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not launched a formal investigation yet, but it is compiling complaints from Toyota Prius owners that the cars can stall or shut down while on the road. The agency has logged thirteen reports in which 2004 Priuses have shut down at highway or slower driving speeds; a TCC staffer's personal car experienced the problem late last year. Toyota tells the Wall Street Journal that the issue affects 2004 and some 2005 models, and can be fixed by a computer-control update. The company says it notified owners of this update in a service bulletin to owners of 23,900 Priuses. No injuries or deaths have been linked to the problem.
05-16-2005, 05:47 PM
#44
The sizzle in the Steak
hybrids - meh.... a fad that will pass in time...surpassed by fuel cell and hyper-fuel efficient internal cumbustion engines.
05-16-2005, 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
hybrids - meh.... a fad that will pass in time...surpassed by fuel cell and hyper-fuel efficient internal cumbustion engines.
05-16-2005, 09:59 PM
#46
Three Wheelin'
Originally Posted by Mokijoki
I've seen more Prius's here than TSX/EuroAccords !
Even that dude in 'The Day After Tomorrow' had a Prius...
Even that dude in 'The Day After Tomorrow' had a Prius...
05-17-2005, 05:15 AM
#47
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by DownUnder
I agree, IMO hybrids are like a band-aid for the increasing gas prices until we get another mass-produced cheaper alternative fuel.
05-17-2005, 06:21 PM
#49
hail to the victors
i'm encouraging my girlfriend to buy either prius or civic hybrid. she spends about 250 dollars on a gas every month and these hybrid will save her almost 150 dollars every month.
06-03-2005, 11:35 AM
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Feds study Prius stalling
Feds study Prius stalling - - By Harry Stoffer - - Source: Automotive News
WASHINGTON — Federal officials have opened a preliminary investigation of 2004-05 Toyota Prius hybrid cars to determine whether a safety defect is responsible for consumer complaints about engine stalling.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has received 33 complaints from drivers. Most say they were traveling between 35 and 65 mph when the incidents occurred. In about half the cases, the reports say, the vehicles would not restart and had to be towed.
The Prius is the nation’s most popular gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. Its success has spurred other automakers to make or expand plans for hybrid cars and trucks.
NHTSA estimates that about 75,000 Prius cars would have to be recalled if the investigation identifies a defect.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has received 33 complaints from drivers. Most say they were traveling between 35 and 65 mph when the incidents occurred. In about half the cases, the reports say, the vehicles would not restart and had to be towed.
The Prius is the nation’s most popular gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. Its success has spurred other automakers to make or expand plans for hybrid cars and trucks.
NHTSA estimates that about 75,000 Prius cars would have to be recalled if the investigation identifies a defect.
07-08-2005, 09:24 AM
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Toyota raising prices on Camry, RAV4 and Prius for '06 - - MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News - - Source: Autoweek
...
It also made midyear price increases on the RAV4 SUV and Prius sedan. Those increases will take effect Aug. 1.
The 2005 Prius will increase by $300 to $21,815.
...
It also made midyear price increases on the RAV4 SUV and Prius sedan. Those increases will take effect Aug. 1.
The 2005 Prius will increase by $300 to $21,815.
...
07-18-2005, 11:19 AM
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Prince Charles Gets His Hybrid On - - By Henny Hemmes - - Source: The Car Connection
Prince Charles of Great Britain has added a Toyota Prius to his extensive fleet of automobiles. An advantage for the Prince, who has a house in the center of London, is that for the "clean" Prius he does not have to pay the city's road toll, which will soon be raised from 7.50 to 12.00 euros - some $9 to $14.50 per day. Besides the Prince, several British ministers are also driving the Prius.
11-07-2005, 10:46 AM
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Car News briefs: Toyota boosts price of '06 Prius; Ford ponders faster Fusion - - SOurce: Autoweek
DETROIT -- Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. says it's boosting the price of its Prius hybrid $490 from the final 2005 price when the 2006 model goes on sale this month.
The sticker price for a base 2006 Prius will be $22,305. Part of the extra cost is a $40 shipping increase. Shipping for the 2006 Prius is $580, compared with $540 for the 2005 model.
The 2006 model has restyled headlights and taillights and an updated grille. Toyota says the gasoline-electric powertrain gets an EPA estimated 60 mpg in city driving and 51 mpg on the highway.
Through October, Toyota sold 90,981 new Priuses, a 117.5 percent boost over the year-ago period. -GREG MIGLIORE
The sticker price for a base 2006 Prius will be $22,305. Part of the extra cost is a $40 shipping increase. Shipping for the 2006 Prius is $580, compared with $540 for the 2005 model.
The 2006 model has restyled headlights and taillights and an updated grille. Toyota says the gasoline-electric powertrain gets an EPA estimated 60 mpg in city driving and 51 mpg on the highway.
Through October, Toyota sold 90,981 new Priuses, a 117.5 percent boost over the year-ago period. -GREG MIGLIORE
04-11-2006, 08:05 AM
#56
Burning Brakes
Next Prius to offer 94 mpg?
The next Toyota Prius will offer an astonishing 113 mpg, according to a report in the U.K.’s AutoExpress magazine. (Note: 113 mpg in the U.K. is equal to 94 mpg here in North America). “The whole electrical system has been redesigned to improve economy” said a Toyota engineer was quoted as saying. “We are working on a prototype that runs solely on the electric motor in slow traffic, but switches to engine and motor drive when higher speeds are needed.” The 0-62 mph time will also be improved by more than a second, according to the report, bringing it to well under 10 seconds. Much of the improvement can be attributed to the use of lithium-ion batteries instead of nickel-hydride units. The lithium-ion batteries are smaller, lighter, and have greater electrical output.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/...offer-113-mpg/
The next Toyota Prius will offer an astonishing 113 mpg, according to a report in the U.K.’s AutoExpress magazine. (Note: 113 mpg in the U.K. is equal to 94 mpg here in North America). “The whole electrical system has been redesigned to improve economy” said a Toyota engineer was quoted as saying. “We are working on a prototype that runs solely on the electric motor in slow traffic, but switches to engine and motor drive when higher speeds are needed.” The 0-62 mph time will also be improved by more than a second, according to the report, bringing it to well under 10 seconds. Much of the improvement can be attributed to the use of lithium-ion batteries instead of nickel-hydride units. The lithium-ion batteries are smaller, lighter, and have greater electrical output.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/...offer-113-mpg/
06-01-2006, 05:14 AM
#57
hail to the victors
Toyota recalls 320,000 priuses
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/14705361.htm
Toyota announces Prius recall
By John O'Dell
Los Angeles Times
Toyota Motor said Tuesday that it planned to begin a global voluntary recall of nearly 320,000 of its hot-selling Prius gasoline-electric hybrid sedans to repair a potentially faulty steering system component.
The campaign will involve about 170,000 vehicles sold in the United States, said spokesman Sam Butto of the Japanese automaker's Torrance-based U.S. sales unit. That represents about two-thirds of the 268,000 sold since the hybrid's introduction here in July 2000.
Dealers had sold 2,158 Prius models this year in the region at the end of March, according to Polk figures.
Toyota, noting no accidents or injuries had been reported, said it would begin sending letters in mid-June to owners of 2004 through early 2006 models of the popular hybrid. The company asked that owners wait to make service appointments until they receive notices because not all Priuses are involved.
Although motorists generally view recalls as a black eye for an auto company, ``when an extremely strong brand sees a problem and fesses up right away to the problem, it generally is a positive thing,'' said Dan Gorrell of San Diego-based market researcher Strategic Vision.
``This shouldn't hurt Toyota at all,'' he said. ``They will spin it as something they did even before anyone told 'em to.''
Priuses built after November 2005 and sold as 2006 models will not be affected by the recall because Toyota changed suppliers and the later models don't have the faulty component, Butto said.
The recall also covers eight other Toyota models -- none sold in the United States -- that use the same steering system. In all, Toyota is recalling 986,000 vehicles, more than half of them in its home market, the company said in a statement issued in Japan.
The Prius recall does not involve any of the car's propulsion system components but a potentially understrength piece of the steering-shaft assembly that could loosen or crack.
Toyota said no U.S. owners had complained about the fault, discovered in vehicles sold in Japan that use the same steering component.
The steering part can fail if the steering wheel is turned forcefully to the locked position at low speed or if a front tire strikes a curb or other solid obstacle while the car is in motion.
Owners will be asked to take their cars to a local dealer for diagnosis and repair once they receive the formal recall notice. Repairs will be done at no cost to owners, Butto said.
Toyota announces Prius recall
By John O'Dell
Los Angeles Times
Toyota Motor said Tuesday that it planned to begin a global voluntary recall of nearly 320,000 of its hot-selling Prius gasoline-electric hybrid sedans to repair a potentially faulty steering system component.
The campaign will involve about 170,000 vehicles sold in the United States, said spokesman Sam Butto of the Japanese automaker's Torrance-based U.S. sales unit. That represents about two-thirds of the 268,000 sold since the hybrid's introduction here in July 2000.
Dealers had sold 2,158 Prius models this year in the region at the end of March, according to Polk figures.
Toyota, noting no accidents or injuries had been reported, said it would begin sending letters in mid-June to owners of 2004 through early 2006 models of the popular hybrid. The company asked that owners wait to make service appointments until they receive notices because not all Priuses are involved.
Although motorists generally view recalls as a black eye for an auto company, ``when an extremely strong brand sees a problem and fesses up right away to the problem, it generally is a positive thing,'' said Dan Gorrell of San Diego-based market researcher Strategic Vision.
``This shouldn't hurt Toyota at all,'' he said. ``They will spin it as something they did even before anyone told 'em to.''
Priuses built after November 2005 and sold as 2006 models will not be affected by the recall because Toyota changed suppliers and the later models don't have the faulty component, Butto said.
The recall also covers eight other Toyota models -- none sold in the United States -- that use the same steering system. In all, Toyota is recalling 986,000 vehicles, more than half of them in its home market, the company said in a statement issued in Japan.
The Prius recall does not involve any of the car's propulsion system components but a potentially understrength piece of the steering-shaft assembly that could loosen or crack.
Toyota said no U.S. owners had complained about the fault, discovered in vehicles sold in Japan that use the same steering component.
The steering part can fail if the steering wheel is turned forcefully to the locked position at low speed or if a front tire strikes a curb or other solid obstacle while the car is in motion.
Owners will be asked to take their cars to a local dealer for diagnosis and repair once they receive the formal recall notice. Repairs will be done at no cost to owners, Butto said.
06-01-2006, 09:15 AM
#58
Senior Moderator
.....looks like there will be a Sierra club meeting at Lawrenceville Toyota's service department waiting area. 
I bet all the tree hugging Prius owners living in the Princeton, NJ area are screaming 'RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY!' right now. 
I bet all the tree hugging Prius owners living in the Princeton, NJ area are screaming 'RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY!' right now.
06-01-2006, 11:16 AM
#60
Senior Moderator
As I am in Princeton, NJ (the Prius capitol of NJ) regularly, I wish some Prius driver would step to me spouting that propaganda. People who buy it for the "sake of the environment" are delusional, making their purchase more of a political statement than anything else. (...feeling buying a GTO now.
)Now when it comes to the RX400h and AV6H, with great performance and great fuel economy --->
06-01-2006, 05:58 PM
#61
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I don't think its dilusional or political. Think when companies start up production of these models and actually make something good looking/high mileage, I wouldn't mind adding them to the list of future cars to consider owning
06-02-2006, 11:34 AM
#64
_____ like a rabbit
Originally Posted by chungkopi
all these recalls and quality issues might hurt toyota's reputation in the wrong run.
and good, i hope it does... if thats what you mean...
06-04-2006, 09:58 AM
#67
Moderator Alumnus
Originally Posted by chungkopi
all these recalls and quality issues might hurt toyota's reputation in the wrong run.
Would you rather be a mushroom or a flower?
mushroom (buying a GM, Honda, Ford... ) = kept in the dark and fed shit
I think I'll take the flower approach.
Toyota is fixing their stuff vs. other companies who just try and cover it up. Some people can see, some people are blind. The post above mine is blind.
06-05-2006, 10:27 AM
#69
The sizzle in the Steak
^^ Ah, the great 3.0 V6 toyota engine.
Toyota: There is nothing wrong with the 3.0L V6 engine design...owners need to change their oil as specified in the manual and you will be fine
....meanwhile Toyota/Lexus jump to the 3.3L V6 ASAP!!!!
Toyota: There is nothing wrong with the 3.0L V6 engine design...owners need to change their oil as specified in the manual and you will be fine
....meanwhile Toyota/Lexus jump to the 3.3L V6 ASAP!!!!
06-05-2006, 10:48 AM
#70
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06-05-2006, 01:26 PM
#71
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Originally Posted by Stevens24
^^
Honda does the same job of notification that Toyota does. Toyota kept ther engine sludge problem soburied most still don't know about it.
Honda does the same job of notification that Toyota does. Toyota kept ther engine sludge problem soburied most still don't know about it.
06-09-2006, 09:04 AM
#73
Moderator Alumnus
Originally Posted by Stevens24
^^
Honda does the same job of notification that Toyota does. Toyota kept ther engine sludge problem soburied most still don't know about it.
Honda does the same job of notification that Toyota does. Toyota kept ther engine sludge problem soburied most still don't know about it.
We addressed the toyota "sludge" issue in another thread. THERE WAS NO ISSUE. The "sludge" was from people who didn't do proper maintenance on thier vehicles. I.E. they didn't change their OIL, which cause the sludge. Do a search on here.... there's plenty of facts showing it was just owner neglect.
And NO HONDA is NOT anywhere near Toyota in terms of notification. Need I mention the CL/TL/Odyseesy/Accord tranmissions problem they blew off for 3 years?
06-09-2006, 09:07 AM
#74
Moderator Alumnus
Originally Posted by gilboman
ah yes...toyota tried to prevent owners from changing their oil maybe somewhat near what they should
exactly... This goes right back to my "some people can read between the lines, and some people cannot". This guy obvioulsy has no real clue what that issue was, he's just regurgitating the info without knowing the actual facts.
06-09-2006, 09:14 AM
#75
Moderator Alumnus
Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
^^ Ah, the great 3.0 V6 toyota engine.
Toyota: There is nothing wrong with the 3.0L V6 engine design...owners need to change their oil as specified in the manual and you will be fine
....meanwhile Toyota/Lexus jump to the 3.3L V6 ASAP!!!!
Toyota: There is nothing wrong with the 3.0L V6 engine design...owners need to change their oil as specified in the manual and you will be fine
....meanwhile Toyota/Lexus jump to the 3.3L V6 ASAP!!!!
re: meanwhile
They kept the engine for quite a few years after the "sludge" reports. What your neglecting to mention is they upgraded all of the engines accross the board.
07-31-2008, 07:09 PM
#76
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2010 Toyota Prius News **Spy Shots (Page 1)**
Toyota’s third-generation petrol-electric Prius hybrid is expected to make its world debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January next year before going on sale in Japan and the U.S. in April. The changes planned for the new model will be minimal, as these latest spy images of a near-production-ready prototype reveal.
Key differences compared to the current model will be a slightly larger body, a more spacious interior and a more upmarket feel. The car will sport a distinct nose and tail design, and both its wheelbase and track will be increased. Designers are determined to ensure the new model will be instantly recognizable as a Prius.
The Hybrid Synergy Drive system will carry over largely unchanged but the current 1.5L engine will be replaced with a more powerful 1.6L unit. Power will be increased but fuel-economy will better the current model’s EPA rating of 48mpg in the city (4.9L/100km) and 45mpg (5.22L/100km) on the highway.
Despite being bigger and more powerful fuel consumption will be improved. Toyota will do this by installing a more efficient powertrain with improved batteries for longer electric-only driving plus a lighter body thanks to extensive use of advanced composites in its construction.
A new battery factory being constructed in Japan will ensure there are no delays in the supply of nickel-metal hydride batteries for the new Prius, and will suffice until a lithium-ion plug-in version is released in 2010. Other updates include the possible addition of solar roof panels to help power the car’s auxiliary items such as the air-conditioning and electronic steering system.
Pricing is expected to fall slightly above the current car’s $22,160 base price in the U.S. but any increase will be modest. Toyota is also expected to launch a new family of Prius models so there could be a wagon variant and possibly even a convertible further down the track.
With Toyota’s Mississippi plant now confirmed to start building the Prius in 2010, production numbers for the new model will reportedly be increased by as much as 70% - up to 480,000 units annually – to help meet soaring demand.
http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-con...05&idg=1&idi=8
Key differences compared to the current model will be a slightly larger body, a more spacious interior and a more upmarket feel. The car will sport a distinct nose and tail design, and both its wheelbase and track will be increased. Designers are determined to ensure the new model will be instantly recognizable as a Prius.
The Hybrid Synergy Drive system will carry over largely unchanged but the current 1.5L engine will be replaced with a more powerful 1.6L unit. Power will be increased but fuel-economy will better the current model’s EPA rating of 48mpg in the city (4.9L/100km) and 45mpg (5.22L/100km) on the highway.
Despite being bigger and more powerful fuel consumption will be improved. Toyota will do this by installing a more efficient powertrain with improved batteries for longer electric-only driving plus a lighter body thanks to extensive use of advanced composites in its construction.
A new battery factory being constructed in Japan will ensure there are no delays in the supply of nickel-metal hydride batteries for the new Prius, and will suffice until a lithium-ion plug-in version is released in 2010. Other updates include the possible addition of solar roof panels to help power the car’s auxiliary items such as the air-conditioning and electronic steering system.
Pricing is expected to fall slightly above the current car’s $22,160 base price in the U.S. but any increase will be modest. Toyota is also expected to launch a new family of Prius models so there could be a wagon variant and possibly even a convertible further down the track.
With Toyota’s Mississippi plant now confirmed to start building the Prius in 2010, production numbers for the new model will reportedly be increased by as much as 70% - up to 480,000 units annually – to help meet soaring demand.
http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-con...05&idg=1&idi=8
