Would you buy a Prius-branded vehicle?
 

It makes sense for Toyota to use the Prius name for branding hybrids, but will it happen anytime soon? According to Toyota, it won't be right now: TOYOTA OPEN ROAD BLOG: Another Rumor, Another Dose of Truth

However, if it did happen, do you think this would be a good move for Toyota? What happens when almost all cars are hybrids, then? Switch it back to Toyota?

If they keep it small like Scion don't see why not provided that they keep the brand in the oddity market

This isn't a wholesale condemnation, or not, but...

• I hate Toyotas!
• I hate Prius drivers, and...
• I hate Scion cars and drivers!

Just being honest... Prius et al doesn't mean jack to me!

If it doesn't have a Honda badge on it - forget about it!

If it's a Honda Scion Prius, then I'll think about it... :cool:

Those are pretty ridiculous bullet statements.

And back on topic...

I imagine if they did it, they'd only brand the "dedicated" hybrids, not the models that have both hybrid & conventional drivetrains. Remember Toyota has stated they'll have a hybrid option on every model by (after?) 2010. (Yaris hybrid, anyone?)

If I had more money than I knew what to do with, I could see myself buying a Toyota hybrid. I still think the Prius is one of the coolest cars I've ever driven for the sheer geek entertainment factor.

I wouldn't say it's the coolest car I've ever driven any more though. That title now goes to the Solectria Force EV I got to take for a spin in May.

Yes, sorry...

Every one of those bullet points involve Toyota et al.

Toyota=Prius=Scion

I could have used one bullet point, I guess! ;)

Which begs the question... @ $2/gallon (gasoline) who needs hybrids?

To answer the topic directly...

No, that would be a reason for me NOT buying one!

I don't care what they call it. What matters is whether the car fits my needs. If they decide to make a small, two-seat hatchback with a manual transmission, and without the idiot screen in the middle, I might well buy one if it gives significantly better fuel economy than my Insight.

Smart move right there.

(raises hand)

70 mpg production car? I'll take one!!! :)

70 Mile per gallon production car?

Two seater with a manual transmission AND significantly improved fuel economy?

That IS the definition of a Honda Insight!

(And it's a HONDA not a TOYOTA, so that should keep a certain somebody in this thread happy!)

I would take 2!! I like how that car looks just not impressed with FE #'s currently. If they made it a Hybrid then I would be all over it.

A Yaris is a five seater, plus it would presumably be available with a slushbox since that is what most people would want. Not hypermilers certainly, but most people.

Hi,

My next car will be whatever is the most efficient that I can also afford. The upcoming Honda Insight is probably high on the list -- because it is lighter and less expensive than the Prius. But, the Scion iQ, or the Aptera, or the Loremo, or a Honda Fit (hybrid?), or...

The brand matters not; just the performance, economy, and design.

SVOBoy -

Hrmmmmm. I think it's too late to rebrand that Prius as new line of cars. I guess it would be something like the Scion xA/xB/xD/tC model lineup. But, the Prius already has the extra badge of "Hybrid Synergy Drive", which is a generic drivetrain moniker across Toyota/Lexus car models.

Instead I think they should market it like the Corolla, i.e. a Prius 2-door, 4-door, hatchback, and mini-wagon. Cheaper to market, too.

CarloSW2

No, you misunderstood me. I HAVE an Insight now: the only way I'd buy something new is if it had the same features, but significantly improved on mpg. And a little more power (or a couple of extra gears) would be nice on some of the mountains around here. And some cargo pockets in the doors, and a trash receptacle...