Toyota Has To Find A “New Direction” For The Next Prius

The Toyota Prius is the definitive hybrid, but it has lost a lot of its luster thanks to low gas prices and a consumer shift towards crossovers.

Toyota is attempting to address the latter issue by offering an all-wheel drive system on the 2019 Prius. It features an additional electric motor which powers the rear wheels at speeds up to 43 mph (69 km/h).

The automaker has high hopes for the model as they believe the all-wheel drive variant could soon be responsible for 25 percent of Prius sales in the United States. The all-wheel drive system should also make the car more appealing to consumers in colder climates where snow and ice are a fact of life.

While the all-wheel drive system could help to increase demand, they is no denying that Prius sales have fallen off a cliff. As recently as 2014, Toyota was selling more than 200,000 units annually in the United States. That number has nearly halved since then as buyers only snapped up 108,661 units last year.

Toyota is aware of the problem and is said to be considering major changes to the next-generation model. Speaking with The Detroit Bureau, Toyota’s Koichi Kaneko said the company has to figure out how to separate the next-generation Prius from the rest of the Toyota lineup. However, he doesn’t believe the Prius should transition into an electric or fuel cell vehicle because it would eliminate the car’s purpose of being an affordable, no-comprise green machine.

Kaneko went on to say they need to find a “new direction” for the next-generation Prius. This could potentially result in a huge change as the publication suggests Toyota might consider turning the Prius into a crossover or add a crossover to the Prius lineup. That could be a smart move as some people believe the RAV4 Hybrid could soon become Toyota’s best-selling hybrid.

Toyota Leads Latest Reliability Study, But Mazda Models Are The Most Affordable To Fix

If the check engine light comes on in your Mazda, you can expect to shell out around $286.

Santa Gets Red Audi RS5 Sportback For Christmas, Think He’ll Prefer It Over Dodge’s HellSleigh?

Everyone’s favorite gift-giving jolly man even got into shape during an year-old transformation.

Bugatti Veyron’s Parts And Labor Costs Are Insane; A Fuel Tank Will Cost You $43,000!

EPA document reveals the exorbitant cost of Bugatti Veyron replacement parts.

Toyota Has To Find A “New Direction” For The Next Prius

Toyota Prius sales are falling and it appears the company is considering radical changes to the next-generation model.

Volvo Aims To Beat Tesla To The Punch With Its New VNR Electric Semi

Volvo’s electric semi could beat Tesla to market, but it will likely have a shorter range.

Bosch’s Autonomous Electric Shuttle Concept Aims To Be The Future Of Travel

Featuring a stylish design and advanced technology, Bosch’s shuttle concept stands out from competitors.

Hennessey’s Cadillac CTS-V Dips Into Hypercar Realm With 1,000 HP

The tuner’s HPE1000 upgrade package ensures road and dyno testing and adds a few other extra gizmos.

VW In Hot Water Once Again For Selling 17,000 Pre-Production Cars

Those cars should have been scrapped but weren’t, and it took VW two years to inform authorities.

Aston Martin Valkyrie’s Cosworth V12 Will Last For At Least 62,000 Miles, Double AMG’s One

Aston Martin Valkyrie owners won’t need to worry about the engine going ‘BOOM’.

2020 VW Passat Looks Sportacular In New Teasers – But Don’t Get Your Hopes Up Too High

Despite the all-new looks, the 2020 Passat will ride on the same platform as its predecessor.