New Prius shortage coming?

I think in the medium term, it could actually lead to good deals again on the Prius. Toyota is going to want to sell as many cars as it can, as this disaster is going to hurt their bottom line in a big way. I would think they would crank out as many Priuses as they can, as soon as they can. Maybe by the end of the year, there will be deals to be had again on the Prius, and I'll bet on other Toyota models well before that.

 

This afternoon my local dealer told me that they just received notice that Toyota will close their plants for 90 days to concentrate their efforts on humanitarian causes. While this may change the game a bit one has to applaud Toyota. I can't imagine Government Motors doing this.

 

Wth?!?! Sounds like yet another dealer trying to take advantage and create FUD. :tsk: At News | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE, the latest announcement is at toyota global - Announcement and it says:

The news is no different at Toyota Vehicles : Toyota Home Page / Toyota.

 

Lots of misinformation here. The Tsutsumi plant near Nagoya that manufactures the Prius is not one of the plants on the closed list. That doesn't mean production won't be slowed, as you can easily imagine.

I find no elation in the possibility of our resale values going up due to this crisis. Only chumps worry about short-term resale value. What, you wanna sell your car after buying it a few months ago? Hah, sure whatever.

If I were you I'd be more worried about getting parts from Japan if your sh-t breaks.

 

Per Newsroom : Updated Toyota Statement Regarding Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan / Toyota

The above is the part of the most recent production related news from http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/default.aspx, as of this writing.

 

^Ahh. I was referring to a PR from a few days ago. Thx.

 

There is no prius shortage coming in the future -- it's already here. If you find a prius with a discount off msrp, you will likely be stuck with outrageous backend fees like mop and glow, window etching, and dealer installed accessories. Supply and demand rules.

 

Confirmed my local dealer has 19 people on a waiting list. As soon as gas started going up, they sold out their inventory of hybrids. Now with the supply from Japan potentially disrupted, plus oil going back up after coming down a bit, they'll have every one sold before it's delivered to the dealer. I wonder when they'll call me to ask if I want to sell?

 

Aahhh...I've been waiting for the dealer "full sticker" shit to hit the fan. From a dealer's perspective, there's nothing like a world crisis to boost sales and profits. Too bad U.S. domestic dealers can't join in the party; excluding Volt.

 

Sadly the Toyota dealership in Johnson City, TN doesn't have any Prii in stock at all and there is no time frame when they will get any either. I am so glad I got mine when I did.

 

Gas and oil prices have not risen since the quake hit Japan.

Local dealers are already doing this to me. But the incentives are good only if I buy a newer Toyota. It is purely marketing.

If my Honda experience is any guide, they won't quit offering to buy back my Prius until the late 2020s.

 

On the plus side, radioactive Prius will eliminate concerns about EMF.



Tom

 

Not sure if you're trying to contradict me? The sellout of hybrids locally was happening BEFORE the quake and tsunami occurred. Oil prices did dip immediately afterward below $100/barrel but has now started climbing and it's back over $100/barrel again. The question about when I'll be called to sell my Prius was rhetorical since I have no plans to sell.

 

Any Prius being sold out in a area depends in the area and allocation. Here in the SF Bay Area (Northern Cali), where the Prius are a dime a dozen, there is plenty of Prius left as evident in the local newspapers auto sales ad and dealer websites listing new Prius stock inventory.

I'm not sure about the "small" Toyota dealerships but the medium to larger ones are all still discounting without a need to negoiate. They are advertising brand new 2011 Prius II at $2000 off MSRP, no need to even negotiate, in the local newspaper. Pretty sure you can get more on a Prius III and up.

 

One other factor that has not been mentioned, unlike previous years there is NO TAX Credit. Unless there are no Priii on the lot don't believe the BS, and FWIW I spent ten years in the car business, I know the game.

 

I looked and cannot find such an ad or deal in your area. Post a link?

 

I also spent several years in the car business. I was honest. Not everyone is, granted. As in all businesses.

And there were no Prii on the lot.

 

I was always honest too. Prii are still plentiful in Kalifornina.

 

As of now 3/19/11 9:25pm, this is what I can find in terms of "online ad", $2122 off MSRP on a 2011 Prius II (if you take $500 rebate)

Specials-PrintAd Toyota 101 Redwood City CA

I didn't keep the Friday newspaper auto section ad, it had some BETTER deals on brand new 2011 Prius compare to the link above.

 

The nuclear powered Prius.