Interesting to see the Prius Prime PEV is trailing only slightly behind the GM Volt and the Tesla Model S and just ahead of the Tesla Model X. Fascinating numbers here at the Monthly Plug-in Sales Scorecard. The Prime is consistently increasing sales month-over-month, but Tesla can't get their production numbers to be consistent ... all over the map. But combined, Tesla is the big winner with over 12,200 total PEV cars sold in the first 4 months of 2017.
Tesla doesn't report monthly sales like other companies; just quarterly. Monthly numbers for them at the link and Hybridcars Dashboard are educated guesses.
A guy I work with owns a Volt and is kind of obsessed with the whole plug in market. His theory is that the Prime will surpass the Volt because Toyota has been building a hybrid market base for years. I think he is on to something. My last car was a Gen 2 Prius, and I know many of us here were former Prius owners. Chevy and other companies just don't have the kind of "feeder system" that Toyota has built.
I have to agree. Having moved up from a 2 to a plugin and now a Prime it was a no brainer considering the Toyota cash incentives with the state and federal tax incentives (about $100,000 total). The Prime has so many new safety features, much better information screens, better ride and handling and to date I've driven about 1100 miles and have used no more than a gallon or two of gas. In essence I have an electric vehicle with the advantage that if I want to take an extended trip I don't have to stop and charge every 3 hours or so. I fear though the dealers haven't quite figured out how to sell them to people leaving the job to those of us who recognize the value proposition here.
I'm afraid that all INTERESTING cars are plagued by sales staff ignorance. This is partially a result of dealerships not taking the time to cull and/or train their salespeople, and a sad decrease in the number of car enthusiasts like myself who got into car sales because of the love of cars. You see this today when you try to wave or otherwise hail a fellow Prime owner on the freeway here in Socal (where yes Martha, they are VERY common!) and are met by a glazed indifference or total lack of recognition of your Prime connection. It saddens me when many people's focus is apparently only on price, with hardly a mention of how truly wonderful is this new Prime technology! What huge strides cars have made in the last 20 years!! .
The problem the Prime may face is something I learned today. I ordered a Prime (due any day) but apparently we are technically barred from ordering Prius Primes in all but 6 states. TMS is selectively approving / allowing orders in states that are apparently not allowed to order them. This is directly from Toyota and I have no idea why they would bar employees from ordering if you live in a certain state or bar shipping them to certain states especially after they said they would be sold in all 50 states. Very odd but yes, the Prime's # have been pretty good. They're selling about 46 per day, which is about the same amount of the C and V combined daily sales. It's on par to potentially start outselling the Avalon.
It is because Toyota South was set up as its own independent distribution network when Toyota first came to the US. They choose which cars, trims, and port installed extras are allowed within their area.
I just heard on NPR Weekend news, as part of discussion of the Orange County Auto Show, that more cars are sold in OC California than in 23 other states!! We are definitely nuts about cars out here! .
What 6 states are allowed to order Primes? I'm not in the market now, but I'd be seriously upset if Toyota wouldn't be willing to give me a really good reason why I couldn't buy what I wanted for not living in one of 6 particular states. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
try this site. Then, when you're ready find one that's closest to you and the car of your choice. https://www.cars.com/
My comment is specifically, to my knowledge, applicable to employees and not customers. You should be able to order the car in every state if you're a regular customer. The main problem is Toyota South refusing to carry the Prime on their lots, but they will happily order one for you if you're willing to order without seeing / test driving one. They had it on our website for ordering lease vehicles (the states allowed to order the Prime) but have since revamped the site. The NA Vehicle Services lady didn't really have an explanation for me when I asked about it; she just told me I was "lucky" that TMS allowed me to order the vehicle because the Prime isn't allowed to be ordered for employees in Kentucky
Is the news that Ford is discontinuing all sedan sales in the US in the next couple of years, focusing exclusively on SUV's, pickups, mustangs, and the like, being discussed anywhere on PriusChat? With the Fusion gone, does this mean that there will one less competitor for the Prius? Ford to stop selling sedans in North America in face of unstoppable crossover onslaught | Autoweek