# What direction is Toyota going with the HSD design... what are they designing to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [July 5, 2007, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-direction-is-toyota-going-with-the-hsd-design-what-are-they-designing-to/1325 "2007-07-05T20:40:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HSDPrius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c2a13f/32.png) [@HSDPrius](https://community.cartalk.com/u/HSDPrius)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-direction-is-toyota-going-with-the-hsd-design-what-are-they-designing-to/1325/1 "2007-07-05T20:40:18Z")
Where is Toyota taking the HSD design in the Prius/camry… where is the technology headed in the future? what needs to happen to make this come to fruition? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 9:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-direction-is-toyota-going-with-the-hsd-design-what-are-they-designing-to/1325/2 "2007-07-05T21:15:52Z")
Toyota is incorporating this design across their entire product line. There are already flagship-size hybrid Lexus, Toyota SUVs, etc. While other manufacturers will be struggling to meet evolving Fed CAFE and emissions requirements with downsized engines and vehicles, Toyota will be ahead of the curve and able to offer proven hybrids that . Personally, I think that the more long term future is in all electric vehicles, at least for econoboxes and sporty runabouts. The partnerships that Lotus currently has will, I think, result in the development of lithium ion battery technology capable of supporting vehicle requirements. ---
**Author:** ![me\_art12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@me\_art12](https://community.cartalk.com/u/me_art12)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 10:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-direction-is-toyota-going-with-the-hsd-design-what-are-they-designing-to/1325/3 "2007-07-05T22:47:36Z")
The idea of electric vehicles is good. For any idea to go anywhere, the people and government have to provide support. Infrastructure has to be built which can support the idea. For instance: it’s feasible to have a city “populated” with electric vehicles which don’t carry batteries or have generating capacities. The streets, themselves, could be electrified. The electric power could be induced into the vehicles by inducers in the street surface. There wouldn’t have to be any exposed wires. A small horse power gas (or, gasoline) engine could be in the car for non-electricfied areas (side streets, garages, etc.). A means of charging money for the electricity used could be developed. This is something that is feasible TODAY, with TODAY’S technology (and governments). ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2007, 2:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-direction-is-toyota-going-with-the-hsd-design-what-are-they-designing-to/1325/4 "2007-07-08T02:18:41Z")
Hi All, ``` Toyota put out a book describing the developement of the Prius, from the original management decission to the actual cars being shipped. The name of the book is "The Prius that Shook the World". Toyota said it had to do the Prius, or be demoted to a Chinese car parts assembler. Other info suggests that Toyota was motivated by the PNGV program in the US - none of these US full hybrid prototype cars developed with government funding ever made it to the road, however. In order for the cost of a Japanese parts cars to be worthwhile, it had to deliver unique capability. It was decided that 100 % improvement in Fuel Economy would be the primary goal that would be reasonable for customers to pay extra for. This is what Toyota is headed for. To stay in buisness by being the best deal in town, even at Japanese parts prices. ``` ---
**Author:** ![steveinfo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@steveinfo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/steveinfo)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2007, 5:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-direction-is-toyota-going-with-the-hsd-design-what-are-they-designing-to/1325/5 "2007-09-30T17:10:47Z")
Looks like Toyota is working on three Prius models of different sizes with a more efficient hybrid system: [http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0706\_future\_toyota\_hybrids/](http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0706_future_toyota_hybrids/) [http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07\_10/b4024075.htm](http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_10/b4024075.htm) They are also testing a plug-in version: > **[Toyota says next-generation Prius on track](https://www.reuters.com/article/toyota-product/toyota-says-next-generation-prius-on-track-idUSN1034162220070910?pageNumber=1)** > > Toyota Motor Corp. \<7203.T\> remains on track with the planned launch of its next-generation Prius hybrid and will not race rival General Motors Corp. to be the first to offer a rechargeable electric vehicle, executives said on Monday. Also, it looks like fuel cell vehicles are on the way: > **[Toyota fuel-cell car covers 350 miles on one tank](https://www.reuters.com/article/environment-toyota-fuel-cell-dc/toyota-fuel-cell-car-covers-350-miles-on-one-tank-idUST11293220070928)** > > Toyota Motor Corp said on Friday its improved FCHV zero-emission fuel-cell car completed a road test from Osaka to Tokyo, covering 560 km (350 miles), on a single tank of hydrogen.