Science Forums 2

[CraigD]

Originally Posted by Zythryn

Hmmm, Toyota's Rav4 EVs are still available (only car I know of that goes up in value each year). Anyone know a Rav4 EV owner? Perhaps they signed an agreement with Toyota such as the hypothetical one mentioned by Craig?

This doesn’t appear to be the case. According to Toyota’s RAV4EV website, ”Please be assured, Toyota will continue to ensure that dealers capable of servicing RAV4 EVs are located in each major metropolitan area in California throughout the 5-year powertrain warranty period of your vehicle.”

Like GM, Toyota discontinued their EV in 2003. Unlike GM, they sold, not leased, them. Both the EV1 and the RAV4EV were popular with their user/owners, an unusual fraction of whom formed clubs to share their enthusiasm about these vehicles.

Since, unlike the EV1, the RAV4EV uses mostly standard RAV4 parts, it’s unlikely that parts will be an issue for existing RAV4EVs. Historically, the electric parts, excluding batteries, are usually more reliable and longer lasting than the non-electric parts of a vehicle.

I’m inclined to think that the differences in the manner that GM and Toyota conducted and discontinued these similar products reveals a profound difference in their approach to customer relations, and that this difference is partially responsible for why GM lost US$10,000,000,000 on revenues of $192,000,000,000, while Toyota gained $14,000,000,000 on revenues of $157,000,000,000 (FY 2005 figures).