Toyota to Launch Overpriced Plug-in Prius in 2012: $48,000 for a Minor Upgrade
Over the holiday weekend, Japanese news daily Nikkei reported that Toyota will start mass producing plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2012.
The plug-in Prius will have a reported all-electric range of 12.4-18.6 miles after a full charge, and will cost $48,000—roughly twice the price of the regular gasoline-hybrid Prius.
Considering that a used Prius can be converted into a plug-in hybrid today for less than $15,000—giving the car the same or better statistics and driving range—I’d have to ask: what the hell is Toyota thinking?
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About a year ago, it seemed that the big players on the plug-in hybrid/electric scene would emerge in 2010, and would consist of Toyota, Tesla, Fisker, and GM. Toyota had a major advantage: the Prius is already built and the plug-in conversion plans were already outlined by DIY fanatics. Additionally, it looked like Toyota was the only contender that could produce an affordable car that every day consumers would consider more-or-less normal.
Many have already expressed outrage at the cost of the fully-electric Tesla Roadster ($110,00), and even the Chevy Volt, which is expected to launch around $40,000. But for $8,000 less, you get twice the car: the Volt will get double the range (40 miles all electric).
Perhaps Toyota is satisfied with owning the gasoline-hybrid market (they’ve already expressed doubts about the concept of plug-in hybrids) and seems willing to hand over this new market. Whatever the motive, the company will build about 20-30,000 plug-ins in 2012, and will be quietly leasing 500 test plug-ins in late 2009 to government and corporate fleets.
[Source: Reuters]
Hybrids have never been cost-effective without tax credits - we’ll have to wait for stronger incentives, better efficiency or (goodness forbid) higher oil prices before that equation balances.
I think this direction is pretty ridiculous. Actually, for the most part, the hybrid concept has been pretty ridiculous. The benefits of a hybrid vehicle do not out way the costs. I have a Hyundai Sonata that I bought used. It is pretty, lots of room, and gets 35 mpg.
I agree that hybrid vehicles have become more of a status symbol than anything. Consider the Cadillac Escapade Hyrbid. The commercials rave about the 20 mpg. Are you kidding me? Regular SUVs can manage 20 mpg. Brag when you have good news.