New Prius shortage coming?

There will likely be deals on radioactive cars in the coming months..... Before buying, bring your portable Geiger counter...

 

I wanted a Black 2011 Prius Five w/ATP w/Misty Gray and I was told it was fairly rare combination. There were no Prius in the combination and color with the ATP around the Seattle area or nation at the time. I wasn't in a hurry either. I figure for the amount of money get exactly what you want. Now I'm wondering what will happen. I'm going to keep an eye on the news and see if the plants in Japan start back up in next couple weeks or not. There was one Classic Silver in Washington last week..wife didn't want it though.

 

Per above even if plant is capable of running if it has no batteries or other materials and/or it cannot ship product because ports are messed, it won't run. If I had ordered a car I'd inquire now and think about cancelling and getting one already in the US.

Even then it's unlikely the news can tell you what the delay is on your car. Even if you call Toyota there's a high chance they cannot tell you.

 

I don't know about long term, but last week - before the devastation - our Lithia dealer was sold out (12 two weeks before) and they had a waiting list. Said the gas prices had caused a run. Also said the Dallas area dealers were the same.

In going over the financial news this morning, there was an article talking about the shortages coming affecting, mainly, gas sippers and luxury. They specifically discussed the Prius. A FL dealer quoted the same situation I described that we have in Texas. They said a shipload of Leafs left the day before the tragedy - 600, I believe it quoted.

 

BTW, the people on the waiting list have put down deposits with no discount. Of course, if you are selling all you get, why discount?

Apparently there are plenty of discounts in other areas of the country, and gas prices look like they are going back down. At least, this week....

 

It's an energy saving feature, no headlights required because it glows in the dark...

 

There may be a run on G3's in the short term however (comma) if you're willing to wait, they might be on sale again in a year or two.
I sling wires for a living, and nobody is ever going to confuse me with an economist, but...I'm starting to hear drums in the woods that the see-sawing oil prices might cause another economic slowdown, collapse, calamity, or whatever hip word you use.
Jobs go away. Paychecks go away. People stop buying $25,000 Priuses (and a lot of other things.) We'll just have to wait and see.

One interesting thing that might happen is that if the Japanese economy takes a big ding in this mess, then currency rates may make their cars a little more affordable.

I'll leave the radiological impact alone in this forum...

 

Yes I know. I fitted charging systems I designed and built in the Aston Martin Factory in the UK so I saw first hand just about every aspect of a modern auto plant.

Toyota mentioned the biggest concern they had was batteries due to the location of the factory where they are made being affected by the quake.

Now there is the issue of power and frankly it isn't looking good at the Fukushima plant. We'll have to wait and see over the next few days how things pan out I guess.

 

I read that story early this morning or late last night. Normally CNBC is fairly balanced on this subject but last night/this morning, the link that lead to the above story had the headline/link text of "Prius problems".

 

LOL, I got a call from our local Toyota dealer today. We are looking at replacing my wife's E350 with another Prius. A white Solar Roof IV had just arrived and they are still willing to wheel and deal. Shop wisely and don't believe the hype.

Disclaimer: My prayers go out for the Japanese people.

 

Except for 1/2 of year 2008 when 3 months wait after ordering was common ...

and the Priuschat 'waiting list support group thread' had 1,000 posts.

http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/48970-prius-waiting-list-support-group.html

 

From Toyota Global Regarding Post-earthquake Production Situation in Japan

From Toyota Global

have to wait how it will impact delivery time

 

Which GE engineer thought putting spent fuel rods in a pool above active reactor was a good idea? And We though the Russian design was so bad. Hope they get meltdown under control fast.

 

The spent fuel is not stored over active reactor. Reactor No 4 was deactivated for service works and the partially spent fuel rods were stored in a pool above as these can be reused after maintenance is finished or transported to regular nuclear waste storage when cooled enough. And now :focus:

 

While not a big supporter of auto salespersons .... their motive is the same as everyone else (trying to make a living, trying to increase profits wherever possible, and etc). Contempt is expressed that salespersons will use the Japan disaster as justification to raise prices ........ what is different in that, and thoughts expressed elsewhere on anther PC threads ... has my Prius value increased because of the rising cost of gasoline? The "law of supply and demands" causes increases in motel prices in areas surrounding the Superbowl; or holiday weekend gas prices along the freeway and etc.

If your dealer has raised the price, shop around. I bought my last vehicle at a discount on the Internet (from an reputable dealer in the next town to the south of my immediate city) when my dealer would not budge from a price over MSRP. A very pleasurable, and cost savings experience.

 

Re: From Toyota Global Regarding Post-earthquake Production Situation in Japan

Yeah, I see it at toyota global - Announcement.

Japanese auto companies extend plant shutdowns - Yahoo! Finance mentions this too and mentions a few other automakers.

 

I'd common sense think that goods and services coming out of Japan will be affected for a period of time. This could include Prius, parts, just about everything....

Optimistically, with support, I hope for as complete and rapid a recovery for Japan as is possible in light of the amount of destruction they have recently faced. It almost seems "cold" to worry too much about how it might affect the supply of what I consider a luxury item.

Also, humanity is remarkably resillient. If shortages of Prius were to develop, for whatever reason? I'd say hold off on your purchase. But at this point? If a salesman is charging you a premium because Diane Sawyer walked among the devestation of a Japanese Village? I'd think it was mostly just a shark like attempt to create demand and charge a premium using the backdrop of tragedy.

 

Talked to 10+ Toyota Internet manager when I purchased my Prius. Surely enough, 1 out of the 10+ has used the situation in Japan to help boost his personal sales, email came last night ..... what a scumbag. Now I know why I never like car salespeople.

 

There is still a competitive market and there are other choices. No choice (in my opinion) is as good as a gen3 Prius for high mpg and usability but......

If I was forced to buy a new car tomorrow and the Prius was not available or marked up $2000 or more over list I would buy an 2011 Elantra and wait a year. Trading it in you would loose around $3000 but probably not more unless you abused it.

I do not think it will get that bad, good deals and sales will go away until things resume to normal but fuel price will be down a bit short term with less used in Japan.

Long term fuel will continue to rise, and maybe even more then expected as nuclear plans get canceled.

 

Even if the Japanese plant begins operations today, rising fuel prices are going to impact Prius demand which could outstrip supply. If that happens, count on dealers getting greedy, Prius resale values going up, and lots of happy owners.