Toyota Prius
By: Sarah Derhalli
The Toyota Prius is a household name that has become a legend
since 2001. A small idea became one of the most ingenious creations in
automotive history. From the moment the Prius was debuted on the market, it has
been the world’s most favored hybrid. On the other hand, all of the progress
the vehicle has made would obviously result in consumer’s substantial desire
for the car. Due
to the uniqueness of the Toyota Prius, there is a constant demand in the market for the popular hybrid; however, Toyota lacks the ability
to produce enough Prius's.
In 1994, Akihiro Wada, executive vice president of Toyota Motor
Sales Company, summoned a group of Toyota engineers to construct a vehicle with
twice the amount of fuel efficiency compared to other modern automobiles. This
idea came true in 1997 when Toyota debuted the first ever Prius in Japan. Shortly
after that, a second generation Prius was born and it was even more powerful
and efficient than the first generation. This was the model introduced in the
US in 2001. Many Americans favored the hybrid and it became a hot-ticket item
in the marketplace. The third generation Prius hybrid earned several awards in
2003, and Toyota Motor Sales, US President Jim Press declared it was the
“hottest car they had ever sold”. A successful journey would soon unfurl as the
infant Prius would become a family name.
The Prius hybrid came with exclusive interior features compared to
more contemporary cars. For example, the Prius included seven airbags that
encompass dual front, front side, and curtain as well as driver’s knee bag;
cruise control; key-less start; automatic headlights; and a steering wheel with
multifunction buttons to operate stereo sound system. The Prius also could be
upgraded with the Advanced Technology package which provided: self-parking
system; leather seats; LED headlights; sunroof complete with solar panels; and
climate control AC. There are also three other drives modes to commute in,
“normal” “power” and “eco”. Normal mode uses both gasoline and the electric
battery evenly. Power mode leans more toward gasoline than electricity. Eco
mode employs the electric battery. According to customers, the steering is
light, fuel economy is impressive, and driving over humps is quite comfortable.
These elite luxurious technological cabin features enticed consumer’s tastes.
Furthermore, the gas mileage a Prius could produce was exemplary.
The average mpg of a Prius hybrid is approximately 50 miles per gallon. Recent
tests have been completed to prove that its newly released product Pulstar™ on
the hybrid, demonstrated improved fuel economy by 3 mpg. Over the years, the
Toyota Prius became the nation’s bestselling hybrid. Many other car companies
have adopted the idea of a vehicle run by half gasoline, half battery, but the
Prius remains today at the top of the market.
However, because of the constant growth in consumer preference
towards the Toyota Prius and other factors, there has been a shortage in
supply. As a result of the luxurious hybrid features, excellent gas mileage,
and commendable safety characteristics, the sale of Prius’ have drastically increased,
but the supply has decreased. The majority of the issue is tandem with the
somewhat fast rise in gas prices. In 2008, US demand for the car surpassed
supplies, which made the vehicle extremely limited to find; consequently,
catapulting the prices upward. This was when gasoline reached an all-time high
of $4.11. Toyota said that because of the rarity in battery and electric engine
supplies, they would only sell 150,000 Prius in the US during the course of
that year.
Toyota has become intrigued on the idea of using a lithium ion
battery instead of petrol in order to wean off fossil fuels in the future. Currently,
nickel-metal hydride batteries are exercised in most hybrids, including the
Toyota Prius. Toyota has designed a new technological invention that may be
able to greatly expand the storage capacity of lithium ion batteries; moreover,
better and more efficient electric cars would be made. The intent of this
creation is to produce a ten times stronger car battery in each Toyota. With
this advance, each Toyota vehicle could recede in size, and weight. However, there
are some risks and dangers to using a lithium ion battery such as: overheating,
explosions, poor performance in extremely low or high temperatures, electrical
shorts, and significantly higher cost of manufacturing each battery. An ideal
battery pack would not require the need for temperature regulation with
specified heating and cooling; additionally, it had to be affordable.
Therefore, Toyota did further development and decided to delay the new Prius
hybrid with a lithium ion battery until 2011.
Toyota Prius V has just come out and is ready to take on the world
with its new lithium ion battery. As a sibling of the Prius family, this new
generation of the car has a taller and more spacious body. Inside, there are:
seat belt indicators for each seat, seven airbags, stability control, capacious
rear doors, and three drive modes. The electric motor does a nice job before
using the engine in eco mode. This car is made for a typical family of four and
is constructed for mostly city driving.
Compared to the Prius V, the Prius C is the cheapest hybrid car on
the market. This vehicle is designed for local commute around the city and the
occasional hour long trips. Unlike its competitive siblings, the Prius C has
lots of room for storage, and is slightly more comfortable to drive in. The
interior quality is also impressive. Although the car is smaller, this makes it
easier for the driver to park.
Today, market demand continues to persist for the world’s most
popular hybrid and Toyota has reopened the Prius line in Japan after production
interruptions and parts shortages. But, improvements are constantly being made
and there are new Prius’ on the way to impress even more loyal consumers.
Works Cited Page
By: Sarah Derhalli
"Environmentally Friendly Automobiles." American Decades: 2000-2009. Ed. Eric Bargeron and James F. Tidd, Jr. Detroit: Gale, 2011. 445-446. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 27 Nov. 2012.
"Hands On with the New 60 MPG Toyota Prius." PC Magazine Online 27 Mar. 2009. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.
Healey, James R. "Prius sales pass 1 million as more drivers seek hybrids." USA Today 7 Apr. 2011: 01B. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
"Just When You Thought a Toyota Prius Couldn't Get Greener." PR Newswire 28 Apr. 2008. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 27 Nov. 2012.
"Prius fever hits, driving prices up." UPI NewsTrack 30 June 2008. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
"Rivals team up on green battery." Sydney Morning Herald [Sydney, Australia] 2 Dec. 2011: 4. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.
SHIROUZU, NORIHIKO. "Toyota's hybrid plan stalls." Globe & Mail [Toronto, Canada] 9 Aug. 2007: B1. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.
"TOYOTA PRIUS C." Sydney Morning Herald [Sydney, Australia] 12 May 2012: 31. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 4 Dec. 2012.
"TOYOTA PRIUS." Age [Melbourne, Australia] 26 Sept. 2009: 5. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 27 Nov. 2012.
"TOYOTA PRIUS V." Sydney Morning Herald [Sydney, Australia] 14 July 2012: 21. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 4 Dec. 2012.
"Toyota steps up race to drive further on batteries." New Zealand Herald [Auckland, New Zealand] 3 Sept. 2009: 5. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.
Woodyard, Chris. "Some Prius prices top sticker price." USA Today 16 May 2011: 01B. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment