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Coming in both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid version?

Will another hybrid ever match Prius sales?

At the New York Auto Show, Hyundai announced that the Blue-Will concept will be headed for production. Unfortunately, no other details were provided. Nevertheless, InsideLine, for instance, is already calling the Blue-Will Hyundai’s Prius-fighter.

But is the Blue Will really a Prius-fighter? Will another hybrid ever match, or even top, Prius sales?

In its concept form, the Blue Will was a plug-in hybrid. Can any plug-in be a Toyota Prius fighter?

Soon, the Prius will be offered in 3 different sizes and at least two different powertrain options. Sure, one of them will be a plug-in hybrid, but the version that will rack up the most sales over the next decade will still be the conventional hybrid version. Wouldn’t any Prius-fighter; therefore, have to at least be offered in both conventional and plug-in hybrid versions?

Additionally, the Prius is primed for full electric and fuel cell electric versions in the future. Thus, any Prius-fighter has to be an extremely flexible platform.

Of course, maybe the Hyundai Blue-Will, or whatever name Hyundai eventually brands its “Prius-fighter” with, will be offered as both a non-plug-in hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. Otherwise, the Blue-Will is just a plug-in Prius fighter, not a Prius fighter.

One way or another, until another automaker comes close to matching Prius sales, we’re still just dealing with niche markets. Hopefully, Hyundai is committed to a legitimate “Prius-fighter” as some real competition is desperately needed in this space.