Category: Toyota Prius

The 2011 Detroit Auto Show holds promise for Prius-lovers, with the first addition to the ubiquitous hybrid brand’s family: an MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle. Americans may want to call it a wagon, or a hatchback, or something else, but whatever it’s named, it’s a longer, larger version of the Prius.

X Games skateboarder Bob Burnquist, himself a big fan of sustainable living and minimizing environmental impact, gives us a few teasers of what to expect–including a look down its long cargo area–in the video below. Beyond this small sneak peek, however, we know a bit about what to expect of the Prius MPV.

First previewed by the Hybrid X concept back in 2007, the idea of a larger Prius is not new. Nor is the story of a full family of Prius-badged vehicles. The production version of the new, larger Prius has even been teased on Facebook. But what of the specs?

The hybrid drivetrain, including both the combustion engine and Synergy Drive electrical portion, are expected to be identical to the standard Prius, though it’s possible the hybrid system of the foreign-market Toyota Auris Hybrid could be tapped to haul the larger load. Roughly 50 percent more cargo volume will be found inside, and seating for up to seven passengers is possible.

This isn’t the only addition to the Prius family, however. A smaller, Yaris-like car is expected as well. Toyota is keeping mum on this expected addition, though we should see a concept version of the car in Detroit alongside the Prius MPV’s unveiling–Toyota says “a Prius concept vehicle” is coming to the snowy show. It’s not expected for sale until the 2013 model year, however.

It all kicks off January 10 at 1:05 p.m. EST, and we’ll be on hand to bring you the live images, news, and details, so stay tuned. In the mean time, see how many unique elements of the new Prius family member you can spot in the video.

[Toyota]

This story originally appeared at Green Car Repor

Auto executives always want you to buy their cars, today. That goes without saying.

But it’s slightly less common for them to say, in effect, “This is the month to buy, ’cause we’re going to be discounting the heck out of ’em.”

Nonetheless, that was the message from Bob Carter, Toyota’s group vice president and general manager, about the company’s quintessential hybrid-electric vehicle the Prius.

At the end of a press call two weeks ago to discuss November’s sales, Carter said December “will be the month” in which to buy a new Prius, because Toyota finds itself overstocked with the hybrid in some markets, including southern California.

Several factors play into the oversupply. First, the end of tax incentives in Japan that favored high-efficiency cars led sales in that market to drop off, and Prius production that had formerly supplied Japan was freed up to build cars for the States instead.

Second, with gasoline prices staying relatively low, sales of all hybrids have stayed flat or fallen even as the overall U.S. auto market gains momentum after two years of downturn.

Sales of the Prius fell 2 percent compared to the previous year, though the car still accounts for half the hybrids sold in the country.

To clear out its stocks, Toyota is planning an aggressive marketing, finance, and incentive program for leftover 2010 Prius models and new 2011 models as well.

Prices for the 2011 Toyota Prius hybrid start at $23,050 for the Prius II package, which is the least expensive Prius model offered to individual buyers.

How aggressive will Toyota be? “Our national program will be 2.9% financing and a very attractive lease,” Carter said in trade publication Ward’s Auto. “It’ll be the most aggressive (Prius) marketing we’ve had.”

You heard the man. If you want to buy a Prius hybrid, this may be the month to do it. Especially if you live in southern California.

[Ward’s Auto]

This story originally appeared at Green Car Repor

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