Toyota Hybrids Go From Strength to Strength as World No. 1: Cars

Toyota Motor Corp.^^s new plug-in Prius threatens to cast a shadow over competitors^^ hybrids.

A successful debut of the Prius PHV, which Toyota will begin selling in 2012, may help Toyota secure its place as the industry leader in gas-and-electric vehicles and undermine General Motors Co.'s prospects with its Chevrolet Volt. Though the Volt, introduced a year ago, was the first plug-in hybrid on the market, its sales are trailing the company's target. The model has also been beset by a government investigation into battery fires after collision tests.

"Toyota carries the image of being a leader in hybrids and the recent problems with the Volt's batteries give consumers an extra reason to choose the plug-in Prius over the Volt," said Mitsushige Akino, who oversees about $600 million in Tokyo at Ichiyoshi Investment Management Co. "Toyota's new plug-in Prius will definitely have a negative impact on GM's sales of the Volt."

Toyota, poised to lose its crown as the world's biggest carmaker to Detroit-based GM this year, said the PHV goes on sale in January in Japan and March in the U.S., where it will be about 20 percent cheaper than the Volt.

GM believes the Volt is a different kind of car than the Prius plug-in and will appeal to different buyers, said company spokesman Rob Peterson. The Volt can go farther in electric drive than the Prius and offer much better efficiency for drivers with a short commute, he said. The Volt's electric drive system also provides the kind of soft, quiet ride befitting many luxury cars, he said.

Plug-in Push

"We think the Volt is a better proposition," Peterson said. "The Volt is much more refined than a Prius."

The auto industry as a whole is making a push in to the plug-in market. Nissan Motor Co. plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid by 2015 to complement its gas-free electric Leaf compact. The automaker has sold about 20,000 Leaf compacts since they went on sale on December last year. Honda Motor Co. has said it will embrace the plug-in variation of hybrid engines by as early as next year.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp., which makes the i-MiEV electric car, has said it will introduce a plug-in in the second half of next year. Audi AG expects to introduce such vehicles in 2014 and South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co. has said it also plans to roll out its own plug-in hybrid.

Toyota, however, may have the edge. "No other carmakers have a car like" the PHV, said Chris Richter, a Tokyo-based analyst at CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets. "Toyota's plug-in has a much better efficiency and range than the Volt, which is much more expensive."

Related News

russia china electricity trade

Russia to triple electricity supplies to China

BEIJING - Russia will triple electricity supplies via the Amur-Heihe electric transmission line (ETL) starting October 1, China Central Television has reported.

"Starting October 1, the overhead convertor substation of 500 kW (750 MW DC) will increase its daily time of operation with full loading from 5 to 16 hours per day," the TV channel said.

"This measure will make it possible to dramatically ease the situation with the electricity supply," the report said. Electricity from this converting station is used in three northeastern provinces of China - Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Jilin. In 29 years, Russia supplied over 30 bln kilowatt hours…

READ MORE
powerlines

The Banker Trying to Fix the UK's Electricity Grid

READ MORE

danish wind power

Wind Denmark - Danish electricity generation sets a new green record

READ MORE

site C

When did BC Hydro really know about Site C dam stability issues? Utilities watchdog wants to know

READ MORE

electricity changes

3 ways 2021 changed electricity - What's Next

READ MORE