Hybrid Cars

Should the new Toyota president accelerate the launch scheduled for the Toyota Prius? The plan to introduce the car “at the end of 1998 with expected production of 1000 units per month…” (Reinhardt, Yao & Egawa, 2006) is an extremely aggressive and ambitious goal; but, is it in TMC’s best interest to speed up the planned launch? There is no doubt that the new president (Hiroshi Okuda) is under extreme pressure to compete in a global market, he believes the company should radically alter its image to attract new customers and gain a competitive advantage while systematically facilitating environmentally-socially responsible practices. It may very well be that TMC should push for a faster

Although Toyota invented this new hybrid vehicle more than ten years ago, it did not offer the car to the USA consumers immediately. The main reason was that Toyota was aware of the new technology challenges. While Toyota was on the market research and new product development, other companies were focusing on merger and acquisition. Brand recognition, technology changes and improvement take several years to finish and Toyota wanted to launch a product which has cleared all the possible obstacles such as space, efficiency, speed, safety, weight which can meet all consumers ' expectations.

However, the biggest difference is the price. The Fusion is $16,379, and the Prius is $20,061, both being certified used vehicles and both using suggested retail value (“Kelly Blue Book”). Now you may ask why the price difference, why would you pay for the extra mileage but less horsepower? Well what the Prius lacks in power and affordability it makes up in gas prices. Yes the MPG is an estimate based on driving style, however it will get better mileage than the Fusion and therefore saving all the money you would normally spend on gas to put towards the payments or the maintenance it requires. Which is of worthy mentioning, the cost of repairs for the Prius is significantly high than the Fusion as it requires a certified hybrid vehicle mechanic to repair it. The Fusion can be repair by your everyday do-it-yourself mechanic. So in the long run the Fusion is a cheaper and more intelligent option for a family vehicle.

A number of hybrid vehicles have been built and tested since 1980. Some of these vehicles have impressed analysts with their performance and low levels of exhaust and petroleum consumption. Interest in hybrid vehicles jumped in late 1993 with the announcement of funding for

In 1983 Toyota decided it was time to produce a luxury vehicle to compete with the world 's best. Toyota made automotive history in 1989 when the first Lexus was unveiled. Now 16 years later the rx400h hybrid is here to do it again by being the world 's first luxury hybrid SUV on the market. Performance orientated, the Lexus hybrid delivers advanced hybrid technology along with increased power and outstanding fuel efficiency. Advertising will play the biggest role in the overall promotion following by public relations, personal selling and sales promotion. The Lexus name is very well established in the world. With that being said, the promotional plan will focus more on the hybrid

III. When you think of a hybrid vehicle, you may find yourself thinking Toyota Prius.

The Myth Behind the Toyota Prius After its creation fifteen years ago, the Toyota Prius has attained a cult status in American culture, and has grown to become a symbol in addition to being a hybrid car. Once high profile celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz were seen in the Prius in the early 2000s, it became cool, smart, and trendy to own a Prius. Over the last ten years, there has become two stereotypical owners of a Prius: economically conscious, mediocre driving, organic food eating, hippie; or an older person trying to save money on gas that isn’t trying look flashy as they drive around.

G. According to US News, the 2016 Toyota Prius was ranked #9 in compact cars, #5 in hybrid and electric cars, #8 in hatchbacks, and #10 in small cars (“2016 Toyota Prius | U.S. News & world report,” n.d.). It retails between $24,200 and $30,000 which is considered a compact car. “The Toyota Motor Corporation is a multinational corporation and now the world 's largest automaker in terms of sales, net worth, revenue, and profit according to Fortune Global 500. Toyota is positioned in the moderately low-price, high volume market” (“Strategic analysis of Toyota motor corporation,” 2003). They did move more into the higher-priced market with the Lexus brand and worked to fill the need for electric vehicles with the Toyota Prius. The company is diversified in various markets within the automobile industry and are able to branch out in several directions.

Makers of the hybrid cars need to evaluate the prices of other cars that are comparable and base its prices upon those results. Also, creating a bigger selection of hybrids to choose from would also be a plus. Therefore, if there is a big selection of these cars,

Providing the largest selection of hybrid vehicles in its make, carrying a reputation for reliable cars, and by being one of the first car manufacturers to enter the hybrid market, Toyota was successful in grabbing a large market share in the small segment. By capturing the largest market share for hybrid vehicles, Toyota will not face as much difficulties when we enter the market of electric vehicles because its hybrid vehicles have proved to be a leader in innovating new opportunities for drivers. Toyota is a great example of concentrated marketing because it has successfully dominated a large share in the small segment of hybrid vehicles.

Hybrids are deservingly known for their fuel economy, a 2016 Prius c can get up to 50 MPG (FuelEconomy.gov, US Department of Energy). They are also known for being kind to the environment: Toyota advertises the Prius c, as seen below, as an “everyday eco fun sized for the city” on their website (Toyota, toyota.com/priusc). In Kia’s Super Bowl LI commercial for their new hybrid crossover, the Niro, they use the tagline: “it’s hard to be an eco warrior, but it’s easy to drive like one.” Hybrid owners agree with this; they can be seen driving around with proud smiles on their faces, knowing that they are saving the earth. But they have likely done little research, because

This is a model powered by electricity and gas and it will be producing around 10.000 units annually at the Altona plant in south-eastern Australia. Toyota became the first manufacturer which made mass production of cars powered by a hybrid system, starting with the Prius model more than ten years ago. Toyota is counting on increasing demand for eco-friendly vehicles with hybrid propulsion in terms of increasing fuel prices and the sharp rise temperatures around the world due to global

* Toyota’s Camry and Corolla have been the top-selling cars in their respected categories; in the past eight out of nine years. Also, Toyota produces the globe’s best selling hybrid car, the Prius – which by 2010 had surpassed two million sales worldwide.

Climate change occurs mainly because of human activities, such as harvesting resources, industrialization, and technological invention, among other factors. One of the main reasons climate change has occurred in the last a few decades is because conventional cars which made their first appearance in 1886, have become increasingly popular. Although, conventional cars are more efficient and less expensive than hybrid cars, hybrid cars help reduce the negative impact on the environment more than conventional cars. A Hybrid car has disadvantages due to the battery and power of the engine, which has to improve over time, which makes people less likely to buy hybrid cars over conventional cars in the present such as gas and diesel. Even though both conventional and electric cars have negative impact on the environment, they have different scale of impact on the environment. By looking at how each system of both types of cars work, what the effect on fuel consumption rate and greenhouse gas emissions are, and what the disadvantages of electric cars are compared to conventional cars, hybrid electric cars are less likely to negatively impact on the environment more than conventional cars.

The world is at a stage where it cannot ignore the environmental impact fossil fuels have on the environment. Seeing the importance of green technology, Toyota was one of the first to move into the market for hybrid cars. This report examines the actions taken, the strengths and problems Toyota faces to ensure its leadership position and how they stack up