600 Toyota plug-in Prius hybrids going nowhere

By Hybrid Cars on 03/26/2010 – 12:49 pm PST -- Transportation

Toyota could bring the plug-in Prius hybrid to market today, in limited volume, ahead of GM and Nissan. Yet, Toyota will allow both companies to roll out plug-in hybrids almost 2 years ahead of Toyota? What's up with the king of hybrid cars? What’s taking so long?

For years now Toyota has been testing lithium-powered plug-in Prius hybrids, and the company is currently rolling out a fleet of 600 plug-in hybrids throughout the world to, “understand the adaptability and the acceptance of the vehicle in the marketplace” .

Later this year GM and Nissan will begin rolling out plug-in vehicles, yet Toyota is at least two years away from rolling out their plug-in Prius.

Why?

It seems Toyota could easily match the plug-in production output that both GM and Nissan have planned for the next two to three years. So, why not compete, even if just for the sake of perception? What does Toyota have to gain or lose by waiting?