AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Second Generation Toyota PRIUS to debut

Three years ago Ford announced that it would be coming out with a hybrid version of its Ford Escape SUV by 2003. Well, 2003 is almost over, and the Escape is on the schedule for nyear, probably as a 2005 model. In the meantime, Toyota is on track to debut its second generation Prius hybrid. This version is bigger, faster and more economical than the first generation, but the pricing remains the same. The New York Times review (free registration required) linked below is typical of the praise the new Prius has generated.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/24/automobiles/24auto.html?pagewanted=1

I am concerned that the domestic car makers are late to the party on the hybrids. They may have great stuff in the labs, but you really have to get them on the street to shake the bugs out. Given that experience curve effects tend to accellerate technology as a function of total units produced, you don't get the benefits of the technology unless you are actively producing.



As a side note, General Motors has a wealth of experience in hybrid powertrains, just not in its automotive units. GM has produced diesel electric locomotives for most of this century. This experience could also be useful in the cogeneration applications that GM has identified for fuel cells.