Featured Toyota dealers increase requests for Prius Prime as sales exceeds expectations.

I am one of those you mention. I am not interested in an all electric but this Prime I just picked up is a near perfect commuter for me.

 

I'm not having much luck finding the Ward's article but we are seeing PriusChat reports of people (like me) flying to other states to buy a Prius Prime. However, Autoline Daily had this: AD #2069 – What’s Really Going on with CAFE, Automakers Cut Production, France Clears Opel of Diesel Wrongdoing – Autoline Daily

AUTOMAKERS CUT PRODUCTION
Earlier this month we reported that inventory levels in the U.S. are starting to creep up. There are 4.1 million vehicles sitting on dealers’ lots right now. We said automakers have two choices: ramp up incentives or start cutting production. They’re definitely choosing the latter. Wards Auto reports that car production in North America was down 4.4% in February. U.S. production was down 7.5%, Canadian production fell 12.5%, but Mexico was up 14%. Through the first two months of the year, total North American production is down 1.4%.​

There was one exception, Toyota, that actually increased production . . . Huh?

I left a comment in the transcript:

The article “AUTOMAKERS CUT PRODUCTION” shows one exception, Toyota. We’re also trying to get a handle on a report that Prius Prime inventory is running at 16 days and California dealers are asking for more. We are seeing a lot of people flying to CARB states to buy a Prius Prime and drive it home.

#12 – As for California traffic jams and idling cars, the Prius family has always been turning the engine off when stopped. Hybrids don’t run their engine in a traffic jam and EVs don’t have an engine. Ordinary gas cars that idle in traffic jams require CARB credits which makes hybrids, plug-ins, and EVs affordable.

Full disclosure, we just passed 3k miles in our Prius Prime and we are seeing better than 60 MPG all the time. In #13 John reports how Europeans fool themselves testing a warmed up engine. Well the Prius Prime uses EV mode to off-load a cold engine until the warmed engine can deliver +60 MPG.​

It would be ironic to see Toyota and their efficient cars selling well while the less enlightened are making a full-court press against fuel efficient standards . . . and reducing production.

Bob Wilson

 

From the dashboard numbers of last month, one would think the sales demand are just ok - not "waiting-in-line" great. I guess if manufacturers don't predict demand though ... then customers have to either do w/out or go out of their way to find the one they want.
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it makes sense to keep demand high, but it doesn't make sense to offer increasing rebates of $1,000. - $1,500. - $2,000., i can't figure out what is going on with toyota.

 

I wonder if we can use Autotrader to get a rough order of magnitude about Prius Prime inventory: 2017 Toyota Prius Prime for Sale in Huntsville, AL 35802 - Autotrader

• 104 miles - a used Prius Prime Advanced, asking $29.7k
• 162 miles - a new Prius Prime Plus, no price listed
• 448 miles - a used Prius Prime Plus, asking $26k
• 494 miles - a new Prius Prime, asking $34.6k
• . . .
  
• 33 pages @10 cars/page ~= 325 vehicles mixed new and used

When I changed it to just "New" and the three trim levels, 78 pages ~= 775 vehicles

Bob Wilson

 

If true, this is great news! Frankly, the value proposition for the Prime is hard to beat once you take tax credits into account.

 

Sheesh, what does this do for the value of the PIP?
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Looks like the PIPs are dropping fast.

On Autotrader I see them going for around 14-15K in my area. That is a pretty incredible drop.

 

mine is worth 10k on a trade. 5 years and 50,000 miles. but all plug in's depreciate dramatically outside cali, except tesla.

 

what is this telling us bob? my local dealer has 12 in stock. i feel like it is being treated as a compliance car initially, with a few dribbling into other area's.

 

Cars.com shows only 4 within 250 miles of me and they're all Advanced trims with no discounts. Looks like there's some pent up demand.

 

I started testing different 'fly-over zip codes and found areas at least 500-600 miles away from a new Prime. It definitely looks like a compliance car.

I have not run the experiment but I suspect a 600 mi radius around NYC and another around San Francisco would count new Prime inventory in the USA.

Bob Wilson

 

no no - you take it in the shorts with Tesla as well. Example; You pay Tax, delivery, & order only ¾ of the available options, smallest traction packs, & out the door you easily hit a $96k price. Turn around just 90 minutes later & ask them to buy it back & they'll offer you $60K (true story) . You'll be lucky to get $80k private party. And if it was manufactured prior to October last year, when autopilot II was 1st released, the original AP1 vehicles are taking an even bigger hit because owners with extra cash are willing to upgrade leaving somewhat if a glut on the market. I imagine if/when the plug-in Prius upgrades in 3 or so years - with maybe a 40-mile electric range -the same thing will happen to the original Prime's. Car buyers in the USA seem to see vehicles as disposable items - unfortunately. But the good thing is it means a lot more folks can acquire one in the 2nd hand Market.

As for the Prime's market;

2017 Toyota Prius Prime Plus | eBay

I followed this bargain, until it closed. even at that low price it didn't move. The auction closed without a sale. Eventually the dealership in the flyover state sold it, but only after discounting it a total of 4 times. Low gas prices?
(scratching head)
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I notice they said,"This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available." This can happen if a customer walks in and buys the car outright.

Bob Wilson

 

That's right. Not having to pay a final purchase from an eBay listing means he can afford to knock a few hundred extra off. I can hear the sales Critter now;
"well ... let me go talk to my manager"

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Using Autotrader:

• 176 Prius Prime - within 500 miles of San Francisco City Hall
• 773 Prius Prime - within 500 miles of New York City Hall

The west coast is soaking up every one they can get. In contrast, the east coast has been not so frantic and may have better deals.

Bob Wilson

 

The sales numbers could be supplied constrained, or dealers simply didn't ask for many Primes at first based on the PiP's performance.

 

AFAIK, every single PiP got sold - it was simply that Toyota's wisdom was to only sell them in Carb states. IOW, owners buying out-of-state potentially fear not being able to get service if they have issue with the larger than standard traction pack - in addition to hiking out of state just to make the purchase. So yeah, I certainly wouldn't blame the product.
I'd imagine (without looking) that gen1 volts are taking it in the shorts too - and if so, it might be that same phenomena of jumping ship to the latest and greatest by existing owners .
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The funny thing is I was shopping for TSS-P and had a chance to drive a Prime Premium. It made so much sense over going with the 2017 Level 2 ECO . . . never looked back. A broken, BMW i3-REx, motor mount bolt sent me back into the market.

Bob Wilson