Toyota close to unveiling 4th-generation Prius hybrid

AP/UNB ,York Township: The timing isn't perfect, but Toyota is getting close to rolling out the next generation of its Prius gas-electric hybrid car.
Low gas prices have depressed sales of hybrids, with Prius sales falling 14 percent in the first five months of this year. The U.S. government expects gasoline to average $2.44 a gallon this year, compared with $3.36 a gallon in 2014.
North American CEO Jim Lentz said Thursday that the new Prius will get better gas mileage than the old one and is better looking.
He cautioned that reports of a 15-percent improvement in fuel economy are probably too high. The current Prius gets an estimated 50 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
He also said the new version has a lower center of gravity for better handling.
Lentz said Toyota, the market leader in hybrid sales, will continue to develop new hybrids even though sales of alternative-fuel cars as a segment are down about 15 percent for the year.

 

Toyota close to unveiling 4th-generation Prius hybrid

AP/UNB ,York Township: The timing isnt perfect, but Toyota is getting close to rolling out the next generation of its Prius gas-electric hybrid car. Low gas prices have depressed sales of hybrids, with Prius sales falling 14 percent in the first five months of this year. The U.S. government expects gasoline to average $2.44 a gallon this year, compared with $3.36 a gallon in 2014. North American CEO Jim Lentz said Thursday that the new Prius will get better gas mileage than the old one and is better looking. He cautioned that reports of a 15-percent improvement in fuel economy are probably too high. The current Prius gets an estimated 50 mpg in combined city and highway driving. He also said the new version has a lower center of gravity for better handling. Lentz said Toyota, the market leader in hybrid sales, will continue to develop new hybrids even though sales of alternative-fuel cars as a segment are down about 15 percent for the year.