The Toyota Auris hybrid and Prius sales

A better hybrid design?

More or different Toyota hybrid sales?

The Auris is Toyota’s European Corolla, however, the Auris has not been nearly as popular as the Corolla. Toyota is hoping a few upgrades and refinements and, more importantly, a new hybrid drive could help change those sale’s dynamics.

Likewise, the Auris hybrid might soon also hit American shores, but what does that mean for Prius, and overall hybrid, sales?

Can the Auris hybrid provide a nice jump in overall Toyota hybrid sales, or will it simply conquest some Prius buyers?

Without question, the new Auris hybrid offers a much different body style than the Toyota Prius, and since many hybrid buyers have complained about the looks and styling of the Prius, the new Auris hybrid might provide a nice alternative. Nevertheless, can this option provide a significant increase in overall Toyota hybrid sales, especially if it costs just $400 less than the Prius?

Inevitably, if Toyota seeks a big increase in the sales of hybrid cars, are not cheaper hybrids the only real path forward?

Certainly, adding another model to their hybrid portfolio should help Toyota scale their hybrid investment, especially in Europe, and that will help reduce hybrid costs. Moreover, any big increase in hybrid sales in Europe would be a nice improvement for Toyota.

But what does the Auris mean for America? For instance, is it possible that the Auris hybrid could be as popular as the Prius – without stealing too many Prius consumers? Or, will the Auris be more proof that their can be only one Prius, at least until hybrid costs decline rather significantly?