[Guest]

Beautiful work Jeff.

While in long-range planning mode, I was curious about how the Toyota Estima had been received. I was unable to find too much, but this snippet suggests that the Japanese like it. As long as the domestic market is not so large as to delay its introduction here.
cheers, nathan

<http://www.j-cars.net/news.htm>

Even the Toyota Estima Hybrid has also became a mini hit, despite the relatively high price. First month sales of 4,000 units were four times Toyota's target.

 

[Guest]

I turned this up on the Web today. It's a bit long in tooth (June, 2001) and maybe a bit optimistic on when exports to Europe and the US will begin, but what the heck.

<http://www.auto-asia.com/viewcontent.asp?pk=5767>

 

[Guest]

So any one have any educated guess when the Estima will be available in the US?

 

[Guest]

Dear Ken:

Tough call. It's worth mentioning that this fall will mark the 5th anniversary of the Prius' production release, though it'll be only two years since they first drove off the boat into the States.

Toyota beefed up the Prius drivetrain for America from the original Japanese version, which at least at the outset had (as best I can remember) mileage in the upper 50s, but also only about 80 hp in total - if anyone else has more precise figures, please butt in and correct me.

With potential new release teething problems, and with a possible American version upgrade in mind, I'd guess fall of 2003 - which is optimistic. Still, it would be great to have the Estima arrive just in time to crash the hybrid Ford Escape's party - assuming that Ford is still on schedule for the fall of 2003.

 

[Guest]

Re: Estima Mobile Office

Given the debate over the hybrid tax credit/deduction, imagine the possibilities for a mobile hybrid office tax debate.
Cheers, nathan

<http://www.itsev.com/news.shtml>
Toyota has come out with the Estima hybrid mobile office. This mobile office has a high electric capacity, enabling the use of fax machines, computers, and other electronic equipment.