After success of the Prius, Toyota looks to the future

[jpak]

http://www.modbee.com/life/cars/story/131593.html

TOYOTA, Japan -- Since he was a teenager, Takeshi Uchiyamada's dream was to make a car. But as he entered his 50s as a Toyota engineer, he had all but given up hope he would ever head a project to develop a model.

In 1994, he finally got his dream. Little did he know that the car he was about to design -- the Prius -- would revolutionize the global auto industry.

Uchiyamada, 61, now executive vice president, was tackling the first mass-production gas/electric hybrid, which celebrates its 10th anniversary next month.

With other engineers, he trudged away at 16-hour workdays, patiently testing hundreds of engines. Fistfights broke out over what option to take to overcome engineering obstacles.

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[gateley]

1. What an inspirational and optimistic story! I'm encouraged to see the

industry is looking BEYOND hybrids.

Since there was a successful electric car, why can't we pursue that avenue more vigorously? Why can't re resurrect the technology and better it with what we've accomplished since then?

Tesla has successfully addressed the power/battery charge issue, and I'm thinking that if more auto manufacturers follow suit, the pricing and continuing technological advancements will make electric the next best choice for us.

[hlthe2b]

2. Ditto... And, I'm glad to see someone finally deny the published

reports predicting a long delay for the 3rd generation Prius. I'm nursing my 99 Subie Outback for as long as I can--even going so far as to invest in replacing a head gasket-- but I can't wait forever. I want something, either a plug-in, or some type of new technology that will make that enormous investment worth it. Of course, I hate the idea of buying a new model year, when lemons abound, but.... I may just break my rule on that one.

[ellenfl]

3. i gotcha beat . . .

i have a 95 camry and i am waiting as long as i can before making that same investment . . . partly because i HATE car payments but mostly for the bugs to be eradicated. ;)

ellen fl

[hlthe2b]

4. Yup... I don't drive much and my mechanic that specializes

in Subies swears I can get another 200K out of it, no sweat, after doing the head gasket. I hope he is right. But, if I'm going to keep it, I really need to have it painted and that is a daunting prospect. If one is not going through an insurance company, I have no clue how to find a reasonable paint/body shop. If anyone knows one in Denver, please pm me!

[hlthe2b]

5. How about a couple more K&R's for this post

I think news items on coming hybrid and alternative energy technology in cars has broader appeal for many DUers...

[FogerRox]

6. 1 rec for ya.

[hlthe2b]

7. thx!

:thumbsup:

[madokie]

9. heres another rec.

if one was good enough for you then one will be fine with me too. ;-)

[gateley]

8. Kick! And thanks again for posting this! nt