Toyota Delays Third-Generation Prius

TOKYO ??” Quality and safety concerns apparently are delaying the launch of the third-generation Toyota Prius hybrid by six months, to the spring of 2009, according to a report published in the Japanese newspaper Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun on Friday.

The industrial daily said Toyota is stalling the launch to ensure quality after it decided to forgo replacing the nickel-metal-hydride battery used in the hybrid system with a lithium-ion battery for the first version of the new model. Reuters reported that Toyota would not confirm the delay. The automaker typically does not announce the timetable for its vehicle launches, but the popular Prius had been expected to be remodeled by late 2008.

Toyota and battery partner Matsushita Electric Industrial are working on a lithium-ion battery that had been expected to power the next-generation Prius. Those plans reportedly were set back last month due to safety concerns.

On June 7, Toyota said its global cumulative sales of hybrid vehicles topped the 1 million mark, largely on the strength of the Prius.

What this means to you: You apparently won't be able to get your hands on the new Prius until spring 2009, as Toyota works out the bugs.

Source: [url=http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/06/prius_delay.html]Consumer Affairs[/url]