Archive for the ‘Portland Hybrid’ Category

While most of the cars that debuted at the recent Geneva Auto Show were diminutive in size in accordance with European tastes, Toyota offered innovation in a family-friendly size. As Motor Trend reports, the Prius+ is modeled after the American Prius V, which boasts nearly 50 percent more cargo room than the original Prius sedan.

One of the main differences in the Prius+ is the third row of seating that brings the passenger capacity to 7, surpassing that of the Prius V.  When not in use, the 50/50 split bench can be folded flat for additional load space. This is also the first Toyota vehicle in production to receive the new lithium-ion battery. The new battery’s smaller size allowed engineers to  place it beneath the center console- a move that could free up additional interior space.

The Toyota Prius+ just may ‘mind the gap’ between fuel-efficient innovation and family-friendly size in Europe.

Looking for your own innovative Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

It’s official! The plural form of Prius is Prii (pronounced PREE-eye). After asking the public to vote on the plural possibilities through a marketing campaign, Toyota received thousands of votes from across the country.  The campaign featured the famous (and famously spoofed) John Lipton as he used his signature style to interview guests ranging from William Shakespeare to a child spelling bee champ. “Prii” received 25% of votes, while the “Prius” came in a close second with 24%.

Here’s the official announcement:







Check out our selection of Prii and other innovative Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com with a full list of new and used vehicles!

Toyota is continuing with their community-centered campaign to find the official plural for Prius with a new spot featuring  James Lipton and, none other than, William Shakespeare. Lipton’s passionate and wordy interviewing style has been spoofed in plenty of sketch comedy, probably most famously by Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live. Here you can see the real man in action as he interviews the wordsmith from the days of yore (or a man pretending to be). There’s still time to vote! The winning word will be announced on Feb. 20th.

Looking for your own innovative Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

In an effort to grow the range for electric cars, Toyota has started to develop battery packs with magnesium-sulfur components, as reported in Motor Trend Magazine.

Magnesium-sulfate batteries can potentially hold twice as much power as today’s best lithium-ion cells already being used in some plug-in and electric car hybrids, making it a more competitive battery for future vehicles.

Battery life has been one of the few drawbacks  to the plug-in electric car market, getting anywhere from 35 to 73 miles of travel, compared to non-electric cars which can easily get up to 100 or more miles per tank and are easily refueled. The project is being headed by Jeffrey Makarewicz, at Toyota’s technical center just outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He says Toyota could have a longer-range battery in as soon as ten years.

In addition to Magnesium-sulfate, Toyota is playing around with other advanced battery types (including batteries with aluminum and calcium components), all in the hopes of providing consumer-friendly range and quick recharge times.

For other innovative Toyota cars, visit our website. We have a great selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

Yes, it’s 2011 and that means great deals on any 2010 Toyota Prius. At Gresham Toyota, we’ve got internet specials on these innovative hybrid vehicles and more!

2010 Toyota Prius V

2010 Toyota Prius II

2010 Toyota Prius III

2010 Toyota Prius II

For other innovative Toyota cars, visit our website. We have a great selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!