As I'm sure most of you already know, most dealers don't stock that many cars, but they all have access to the same district inventory. Since I live in Georgia, the district inventory is the Southeast Toyota Distributors LLC. I bought a 2014 Prius Four from this inventory through a local dealer. My choices for grey colored interiors were either "Misty Grey SofTex" or "Ash Leather". I do not know, I just assumed Ash Leather was an ash colored leather. WRONG! It is a light grey SofTex, but nothing on the website ever mentioned SofTex for the Ash Leather interior. I don't know if other districts do the same thing as the southeast district. I'm sure this is no mistake on Toyota's part! Update March 13, 2014 - Well, it looks as if Southeast Toyota Distributors LLC is up to their old tricks again. In February, they changed the interior description from "Ash Leather" to "Dark Grey SofTex." (which is what it should have been in the first place). Well, they have now changed "Dark Grey SofTex" to "Dark Grey Leather" but of course it isn't leather. How can this not be intentionally deceptive?
There is no leather option for the Prius family - it's softex only. Maybe the Ash leather is an aftermarket option?
No, when I finally got the car, the sticker on the window says SofTex. The VIN of the car corresponds to the VIN on the distributor's website, so I know I got the car I ordered. But there is absolutely no mention on the distributor's or dealer's websites that Ash Leather isn't leather. The salesperson (who we know aren't always the most informed) said ash leather interior. Why would I question this, as this is what the websites said too. I wanted the 2014 Prius Four, so I'm not all that upset (I know I can add after market leather) but I just think it is very deceptive on Toyota's part.
thats a bummer it didnt work out they way you hoped. Did you confront the dealership about it at all?
Looks like its Southeast Toyota thing. If you build a Toyota for the Southeast these are your Softex options: Sand Beige, Misty Gray, Ash Leather. If you build for outside of Southeast Toyota you have these Softex options: Bisque, Misty Gray, Dark Gray. They are probably the same colors just Southeast Toyota gets to rename them. None of the available colors are vastly different, see the ebrochure: http://www.toyota.com/prius/ebrochure/
So far, no link to deceptive Toyota advertizing, just claims there was some, and links to non deceptive sites.
We are not allowed to post links here. If you Google "southeast toyota" you will see link to "southeast.buyatoyota" which takes you to all Toyotas in the southeast. Then choose Prius and go to trim levels Four or Five.
Southeast Toyota Distributors (STD) does some shady stuff: Toyota’s Distributors - Do They Cost You? | Tundra Headquarters Blog I think its deceptive to use the word leather in the description of the color of a material that is not leather. I sure some marketing guy at STD got a nice bonus when he thought up the harebrained idea.
ash leather as a description of a color is at the least, a poor choice of words, and deceptive is probably more accurate.
From past discussion, I've received the impression that Southeast Toyota is a distinct private entity, separate from Toyota corporate, with an exclusive right to distribute in certain states. After hearing about their restrictions, markups, and forced 'options', I'm extremely happy to reside outside their territory.
Bucco, it's only deceptive on Southeast Toyota's part, not Toyota Motors Corp. Granted it is misleading, but there are no other material in print that states anything other than Softex. I've found a few flaws in Honda's and VW websites too over the years, and it's misleading because you don't which is correct. But it's not enough for me to get upset about.
i would love to know what the owner of southeast toyota makes. imagine having the sweetest deal in the country with toyota, and still feel like you have to fleece the customers at every turn?
"Fleece" is probably too strong a term as it would indicate purposeful deception, which it is not. They need someone with more attention to detail working their website.
I don't think the term 'leather' has to mean it must come from an animal. Many car makers 'leather' is synthetic material these days.
So you are surprised an automotive supplier/dealer/salesman is deceptive? Welcome to the -real- world!
Bisco, I've had two great purchase experiences with Southeast Toyota, and several friends and family that had great experiences with their purchases too. For some reason, I can't get quotes to be included in replies unless I cut/paste. I've look through preferences and didn't see anything where I could turn this feature on or off. Is it the IE 11 browser?
