Just like GM of the sixties, it’s not a problem because they have the volume. The difference will be when one of them is getting challenged in sale. That’s when Toyota will pull the plug on one, if not before. Something will change. Either having an ugly hybrid as a badge of honor will lose it’s appeal, or whatever. They may take the Prius up market, or they may create a scion like brand.

I think just because they make some moves similar to GM it does not mean they will have the same results.

+1

But also add the raise of Hyundai to give it more context. Toyota right now fears how fast the Koreans are raising. Compare Toyota and GM on divisions creation, market share 50’s (GM) 10’s (Toyota), cars for every purse and purpose (both, Toyota is doing it right now), etc… then put Hyundai in the comparo… I think 800 word won’t cut it, so maybe splitting it in 3 or 4 parts may suffice, or better yet, can be a short series of 10 or 20 “episodes”.

To solve the Pruis/Camry apparent conflict is not so hard… 1st they are supposed to work for different targets, 2nd, pricewise… it’s not moving the Pruis upmarket, they should move it downmarket, maybe between Corolla and Camry or on par to Corolla (this may be the 21st century Corolla) to massify it a lot more, get more money and do what The Brain tells Pinky they will do this night: “dominate the world” =)

Using Mr. Karesh’s most excellent car price comparison tool, base to base, the Camry CE is $1200 cheaper than the Prius. Never mind the respective technologies or mpgs. That’s too small a gap for two models sold by the same company.

What to do? Kill the Camry? That would be nuts. Kill the Prius? Also nuts. Put the Prius’ Syngery Drive into the Camry? Again, nuts. And done. And that car’s only $2k MORE than the Prius (TD invoice price).

The only solution I can think of: take the Prius upmarket. Supposedly, there’s a Lexus Prius on its way– which doesn’t do nothin’ to resolve the overlap at Toyota. And how the Hell can you make a luxury Prius without adding weight, losing mileage and, thus, removing its raison d’etre?

Honestly, this one’s going to be a bitch to resolve. Maybe it IS time to write an article about Toyota becoming the next GM.

Oh, you want an eight-way adjustable power seat? Don’t go looking for one in a Prius. Want a smoother ride or better handling? Try a Camry XLE or SE, instead of a Prius.

In the end, there’s a big difference between the two cars, even including the hybrid Camry….

Everyone knows the Japanese are reliability kings, but the Germans are perceived in 2nd place on that subject, and more importantly, are known to be cheaper to repair/maintain/run…

So, maybe it’s a different kind of perceived reliability…knowing things won’t break, or knowing you’re not going bankrupt when something does break.

Not to mention the interiors of German cars are oftentimes nicer to be in than the average Japanese car, although the Germans have dropped the ball there a couple of times and Japanese have made some progress. Maybe not a measure of reliabilty but definitely quality.

VW just messed things up in the US, offering weird choices of models/engines on a seemingly random basis. For instance that 2.5 5-cilinder. That’s never even been offered in Europe. A 2.3 V5 was offered at one point in the New Beetle, the Golf IV/Bora (ie Jetta MkIV) and the SEAT Toledo, I don’t know if it’s a related engine, but that was cancelled in the early 2000s…(for instance, it replaced in the Golf Mk IV GTI by the 1.8T).
Also, they kind of owned the diesel market in Europe from the early 90s – approximately 2000. That helped…

FWIW, I personally know of at least three people who each replaced a recent model Mercedez-Benz, BMW, and even a Porshce 993 with a Prius.

Justin, feel better.

As far as a separate Prius brand goes, it sounds very short-term at best. But; It does sound workable. Think about the average buyer (and refer to the review); most people DON’T like to drive. They see a car as machinery, equivalent to a refrigerator. What not better than buying the “green badge of honor” from the “green badge (namebrand)?”

But don’t worry, maybe Hyundai will dethrone them.

Why they’re creating new brands is a very good question.

The Worst Job Ever (2:24) [NOT safe for work (language)]

Do you have a 2nd car for pleasure? say, a Miata or Corvette?

Toyota “does” make a Prius that “looks more normal…” it’s called the Camry Hybrid.

Of course, “looking normal” costs 10 miles per gallon. And about $3000 extra. For not much more space.

But you pays your money and you takes your choice!

I bought a Camry (two of them actually) in 2004-05 over a Prius because the former’s proven reliability and good IIHS crash scores. If I had do it over again now, I’d choose one of each (with a manual tranny in the Camry).

The Prius of course has gone on to become one of the most reliable cars on the road, by any measure, despite the car’s extra complexity. The feared battery failures haven’t happened either. And who wouldn’t like 40-50 mpg or better with today’s gas prices?

—

It’s a bit early for a Toyota Deathwatch. Still, the Boy Scout motto always applies. “Be Prepared.” Toyota could screw up, big time.

However, Rick Wagoner, if you’re reading this, including “Toyota Screws Up” as a part of your turnaround plan probably isn’t prudent.

If Toyota decides scion is a loser, can’t they just pull the plug?