The reason I ask is a salesperson said '2011 will be a short year for the Prius because they will introduce a 2012 Prius v mid year'. If true, does this mean the Prius v will be a replacement for the 'regular' Prius as we know it?
Nah. Plenty more years of the Prius to come. Some say that the Prius will become a model type in its own right, having a station wagon, sedan ([ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Sai]Toyota Sai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] ) and other variants.
It was a misunderstanding of what was said. He didn't say the regular Prius was going away, only that 2011 would be a short model year.
There have been articles referencing a "Prius Family" of vehicles. The current model would be the "middle" with the "v" being a larger version and then the introduction of a smaller version.
No, why? There is no reason to stop selling the Prius 2010, except maybe a slight redesign, an offering of different colors or different option packages. Not to mention that the PHV will be sold by end of next year.
Once again, another highly informed and ethical salesperson. The "standard" Prius isn't going anywhere. The Prius v...isn't a replacement for..it's an addition to the Prius "family".
Also consider, the G3 is the largest selling Toyota in Japan. It is a world-wide car .... it is their "golden goose." I especially agree with the above comments that it will one model among several Prius brand vehicles. That make more sense to me.
You crack me up with your "shameless" self promotion. I wish this were the year I could take you up on it. Cheers
I'd say, the real questions this raises are, Is Prius v....a really stupid name? Just destin to cause a lot of confusion with a lot of people about the product? And is the movement towards turning "Prius" from a singular Toyota vehicle into a "Scion" like "family" of vehicles wise? Toyota, IMO has had the greatest success with a mainstream Hybrid in The Prius, and also as a automobile manufacturer has shown the greatest commitment to building and marketing hybrids... I'm really glad they are expanding the product range. BUT...I'm not so sure turning "Prius" into a sub-moniker and a off-shoot family of Toyota vehicles is a wise idea. For some reason Toyota seems to like to compartmentalize their vehicles. Youth=Scion, Hybrid, Green=Prius, Mainstream=Toyota... What's wrong with calling a Toyota a Toyota? The Prius v...hasn't even been released yet and it's already causing confusion.... Wait until you have 2010 Prius V's....and 2011 Prius v's...and then someday Prius, 2,3,4, 5's, and PHEV Prius, and Prius v, and Prius c... You'll need a Graph and Chart just to explain what you are driving...
Given the success of the current Prius I can not imagine that they would stop selling it - heck the upcoming plug in is based on it. However there may be some truth there about the 11 being a short model year. Could there be some refresh in the works that would be phased in to the 2012's and have them released this summer or fall? The thing that comes to mind would be re-doing the dash and the displays - compared to the competition they are very blah and they would likely need to make changes anyway for the plug in.
How to tell if a salesman is giving you valid information... If his lips were moving when he said it it wasn't the truth.
There are MANY professional salespersons who are above all, HONEST. Long term, professional salespeople are the most honest people I know. It goes with the territory. At the end of the day, all you really have is your integrity. Mine is not for sale. I have been a sales rep for over twenty years. If you seek an honest salesperson, find the ones with gray in their hair!
Maybe there´s a Facelift on its way which will be presented before end of 2011 ! That would be great !
My pet theory: The PHEV Prius will be a 2012, whenever they are ready to sell it, it will be magically 2012 already. So 2011 could be a short year.
