The World's First Production Hybrid Gasoline/Electric Vehicle

Toyota presents

January 13, 2000

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Richsj: Can the Prius drive on battery only? If so, how far before the engine kicks on?

Dave (Engineering): The basic concept of Prius is to use either the engine or the battery whichever is most efficient. Therefore battery only operation is very limited. The vehicle can go as fast as 40 miles an hour with the battery only, but generally the engine will start somewhere between 5 and 25 miles per hour, because the engine will be more efficient for operation. So the vehicle really has no battery only range; that was not it's design intent.

PortlandEE: When can I buy a Prius?

Mark (Marketing): Prius will be available at dealerships in the 48 continental states and Alaska beginning in July of this year as an 2001 model year car.

Bcnu2000: What consumer profile is more likely to purchase the Prius? (Income, education, etc.)

Mark (Marketing): We have found that Prius appeals to several different consumer target groups. The early adopter or techno friendly consumer, who is inspired by new technology products--these may be the first people to own a notebook computer, or a DVD--that really embrace new technologies. And they span the traditional range of demographics, so not necessarily a certain age group, or a certain gender, but they span all age groups as well as genders and life stages. Additionally, the car appeals to the environmentally friendly consumer, who wants to purchase a product that has less impact on the environment, as well as the practical consumer, who find less frequent visits to the gas stations, less frequent oil changes, tune-ups and brake maintenance appealing.

Kevin: How does Prius compare to today's cars with respect to safety during collision, front, side & rear?

Dave (Engineering): Prius will satisfy all current U.S. and world safety regulations, for all types of collision.

Xiannie: Why should people consider the Prius, when Ford and GM will be launching fuel cell automobiles in 2004?

Mark (Marketing): While many companies have stated that they will have fuel cell demonstration projects starting in 2003/2004, or it won't be till the latter part of this decade or beyond that fuel cell vehicles become really commercially viable for the retail public. There are still numerous challenges to overcome with fuel cell development, to make these projects realistic; such as cost, all climate operation, and what is the fuel of choice for the fuel cell, and the consensus for the fuel of choice for the fuel cell, such as gasoline, methanol, natural gas, or pure hydrogen. We have to overcome all these challenges before the cars really can serve a purpose for the average consumer.

Mary: Erwin, How long did it take you to design the Prius?

Erwin (Designer): Just the concept stage, meaning where we sketch and do scale models took three weeks. Calty, where I work (Calty Design), started from paper in the fall of 1996. And, as most people know, the Prius went on sale in Japan in December of 1997. So my answer is twofold, the design time, and then the product development time for the car going on sale. As you can see, it was a short time.

Tomm: Describe performance and handling characteristics.

Dave (Engineering): Prius is zero to sixty in approximately 12.5 seconds. It has a top speed of 100 miles per hour, although I don't recommend going that fast. Handles very well, and has very short turning circle, to allow easy handling in congested city applications.

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