<a href=http://prius.toyota.com/peace/safety.html target=new>http://prius.toyota.com/peace/safety.html</a><br><br>Battery pack isolated from passenger cabin/access <br><br>Fold down rear seat apparently has nothing to due with structure or seatbelt design. Its because the battery is dangerous and needs to be isolated from passenger cabin access?????? This is a safety problem? I wonder why it's only an issue here and not anywhere else? Are we overly cautious or is there a real safety issue that we need to be concerned about? NIMHI's make you sterile?<br>Charlie

Nah, that doesn't mean anything.<br><br>The way marketing works is they try to address customer concerns (done thru focus groups). Marketing knew that customers were concerned about "batteries" because the public at large thinks "battery acid". So marketing says "what can we say to alleviate fears? Oh! Lets say it's sealed for safety. Yeah, that sounds good. And lets say it's in the trunk for safety. Yeah! And lets say..."<br><br>That is how marketing works in every company on earth.

The poor rear passengers have a fuel tank under their butts, and a 180#, 270+ V battery pack aimed at their kidneys.<br><br>Lotsa steel holds battery pack, likewise floorpan separates fuel tank from cabin, so no fear.<br><br>(just took lotsa pics, including warning label on HV battery--I'll post later in week on PriusMods group)<br><br>Jeff (why did I take Baby apart? We wuz slammed by a Camry Friday evening--that's why!)

Are all you priusowners okay? I certainly hope so...<br>I decided that when I get my Prius, I'm *not* going to make the rear seats fold down, even though CoastalDave has figured out how to do it. Too much liability risk. <br>Tell us how you're doing.<br>Vetali

In Message 6204 priusowners mentioned:<br>&gt; Jeff (why did I take Baby apart? We wuz slammed <br>&gt; by a Camry Friday evening--that's why!) <br>OUCH!<br>But at least the incident was kept within the "family".<br>Isn't "slamming" "baby" child-abuse?<br><br>Best quit whilst ahead,<br>Bp<br>(who is NOT ordering a 2002 Prius)