It’s safe to say there’s at least one electrified car being launched in the country every month these days. We drive them, speak of their efficiency, but ultimately a lot of people are still on the fence about purchasing one. You will see random doubters on Facebook saying to wait for 5 years before purchasing one, to prove a model’s reliability and longevity.
You don’t have to wait that long. We recently found out that just like their conventional cars, the Toyota hybrids are mighty reliable as well. Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) led by Marvin Gardiner – TMP Vice President for CSO Service Planning and Administration Department, went to Tacloban to check on some Prius units that were there since before the pandemic. They were accompanied by Dave Fenis – Service Manager for Toyota Tacloban with the participation of PNP Tacloban officers.
Toyota Expertise
You may not know it, but Toyota has been making hybrids for almost 3 decades now. The Prius is the first mass-market hybrid car that was sold in Japan in 1997 and subsequently offered globally in 2000.
Locally, the Prius has been here since 2009 with its third-generation model while the one sent to Tacloban is the 4th generation model. Their almost 30 years of production and maintenance of the Prius is just proof that their hybrids are tested well, reliable, and built to last.
8-Year Test
Back in 2017, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided PNP Tacloban with 49 Prius units to aid them in their day to day operations. These cars have been in use for 8 years now primarily as 24/7 patrol cars.
At the time they conducted the checking, 26 of the 49 units were available for inspection. They had an average of 193,000 km mileage per unit with one of them clocking more than 300,000 kilometers. Each unit was used extensively in the challenging roads of Tacloban at up to 300 kilometers a day.
Despite this usage, the Prius units showed very positive results in the technical checkup. The engines and drivetrains remain in good condition although there are minor under-chassis issues which are expected from daily driving on rough roads for 8 years.
The real surprise was the hybrid batteries. They still showed a low internal resistance of 0.020 Ohms, meaning it can still deliver power quickly when asked to. In fact, that figure is still in the optimal levels for daily use meaning it doesn’t need to be replaced.
Hybrid Experience
PNP Tacloban were in awe of the Toyota Prius units in their fleet. They noted the quick response of the car in Power Mode, citing no delay compared to traditional gasoline cars. The cars are still comfortable and reliable for daily use.
The officers also had an easy time maintaining the cars as they had no problem scheduling them for servicing with the Toyota dealer.
“We sincerely thank TMP for going the extra mile to visit Tacloban and support our personnel. Toyota has never neglected us and continues to provide dependable aftersales service,” said PLTCOL Roderick P. Condag, Acting Chief, RLRDD of PNP, Police Regional Office 8.
Easy Transition
Going for a Toyota Hybrid means continuing where you left off. Its cabin layout is very similar to that of a conventional car so you won’t have any learning curve should you decide to go hybrid.
The best part about it is their hybrid technology is available in a myriad of forms. Do you want it small? There’s the Yaris Cross. If you want something bigger, there’s the Corolla Cross and RAV4. You have two options in a sedan with the Corolla Altis and Camry. Want something for the family? There’s the 7-seater Zenix. You want it plush? The Alphard now comes with hybrid power as well.
That, and the Prius units in Tacloban, just proves that whether conventional or hybrid, Toyota maintains its legendary Quality, Durability, and Reliability, inspiring customer to make the Toyota choice. In the city or in the province, paved roads or rough ones, Toyota’s hybrid offerings will remain efficient, durable, and cost-effective.
