Prius Family Launches Delayed In Japan

As expected, the current situation in Japan has affected some of Toyota‘s newest ventures. Announced over the last few months, the Prius V and C models were expected to hit Japanese showroom floors during mid-April but are being delayed by the crisis in one of Toyota’s production epicenters, Japan. 

If you haven’t been paying attention to the Prius family and aren’t aware of these vehicles coming up, here’s the skinny. The Toyota Prius C, for city, was revealed at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. It is mostly focused on younger customers who want a smaller vehicle that is a little easier on the wallet, while at the same time delivering hybrid-level fuel efficiency. The Prius V, on the other hand, went more in the other direction. Unlike the C model, the Prius V was designed for versatility. Made to be the minivan of hybrids, it offers families a clean, efficient, and relatively inexpensive.

The overall issue with production in Japan right now is the infrastructure of the country and the state it is in. With the nuclear meltdown and the earthquake ravaging several major sources of power, Toyota has actually suspended production all over the world until this Sunday, when they will be able to make a better judgment on the supply of materials needed to manufacture Toyota Parts.

While North American production is expected to be affected by the state of affairs, Toyota has stated they are not sure when or how long such interruptions would last. “We continue to receive parts from Japan that were already in the pipeline, limiting the immediate impact,” a press release from their online newsroom said. “We will continue to work closely with suppliers in North America and Japan to minimize any disruptions to Toyota’s overall North American operations”

U.S. launches of the Prius V are not expected to be delayed significantly.