Toyland news:
Toyota Car Updates

The Corolla/Matrix is due for renewal for the 2008-2009 model year (delayed by one year). Hybrid power is expected for the new Corolla, going along with Toyota’s commitment to make a hybrid version of each vehicle. The Corolla is selling remarkably well in the US and would normally have been refreshed in 2007 or earlier. The major changes are a stiffer new body structure, dramatic safety increases, lower noise from better aerodynamics, and minor boosts in gas mileage and power stemming from addition of variable valve technology to the exhaust valves as well as the intake valves. A new CVT is also planned; whether this spells the end of the manual transmission is uncertain, but the automatic transmission appears to have been dropped completely. A CVT can increase gas mileage slightly but more important, reduces the weight and (reportedly) the cost of the transmission.
Toyota is reportedly planning to bring the Camry to a full half million units sold per year in the US, which will be double the Impala’s sales (GM is planning to limit Impala sales to 250,000 to avoid putting cash on the hood). Toyota should pass Ford in sales to become America’s #2 automaker in 2007, and may pass General Motors in 2008.
Prius production has been increased. Lack of availability drove many buyers to the inferior Honda Civic hybrid. Some new Toyota hybrids were put on hold as the company boosts production and gets parts such as batteries. Expect to see a hybrid version of each Toyota SUV, minivan, and car - though not all will be sold in the US. The Prius is slotted for a 2010 redesign.

 

GROAN!!! The Honda Civic hybrid is different, neither better nor worse but fits a different driving profile. I like my Prius because it fits my driving requirements but had my work and living situation been different, say more high-speed travel, a Honda Civic would have been a better answer.

Bob Wilson
Prius pilot who believes in "the right tool for the right job!"

 

I agree Bob.I also think the civic looks much better.

 

Noooooooo! I was really looking forward to seeing the new one, just to see how it looked and all. Sad. Ah well.

Toyota better be careful, someone else might introduce an MPG leader before 2010.

 

soopahMan-I don't know too much about the toyland news I posted.It was just something I ran across. I hope the new prius will come out much sooner.

 

Toyoland - dedicated to all Toyota cars, minivans, and trucks

 

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That cut & Paste didn't work right.

what I really was wondering is what a hybrid Matrix might cost. I'd love to get a hybrid hatchback.

 

You know, statements like that only discredit the article and lower it to propoganda rather than news. What's next, the 2010 Prius runs on water and does your laundry? But then again, there's no recent evidence that they're teaching journalists to trouble themselves with trivial things like facts and accuracy.

 

I heard the 2015 Prius also dries & folds.

 

Agreed. There's a whopping1 MPG difference on GH's real-world database between the P2 and the HCH2. Considering that the IMA motor is only 20 HP and is the size of a small laptop computer, this level of fuel economy is nothing short of amazing. Getting 48 MPG without an EV mode is hardly inferior either.