Are 2010's coming down in price

Gas prices are moving up here in NY, if that is a harbinger of what we can expect for summer, then I don't see prices for hybrids coming down this year!

 

I think I saw an article around here stating that Toyota sold 130,000 Priuses in 2009 calendar year when they were expecting to sell 100,000, so it doesn't look like the economy has affected Prius sales so far.

As gas prices increase, I'm betting we have more of the hybrid panic purchases by SUV owners that were rampant in the summer of 2008. Even people with money problems will 'give away' their SUVs and impulsively spend $25-30k to save a few hundred dollars in gas. It happened before.

 

Don't know if I buy that (hope you're right, however): U.S. Prius Sales Drop 45 Percent ...although this was early on in the new model year, and availability of many of the models was low.

That said, the Prious, along with many other fuel efficient vehicles got a huge boost from the "cash for clunkers" program: http://www.allaboutprius.com/blog/1033899_2010-toyota-prius-sales-soar-boosted-by-clunkers-cash ...

But I think the bottom line is - (1) Prices (on average/nation wide) have NOT dropped, but have gone up slightly, and (2) Demand is still strong, but will be tempered by a weakened economy. Now, if oil prices continue to rise, then I expect prices, and/or demand to also rise.

 

I bought my 2010 Prius V in blizzard pearl WITH AT package and rear bumper applique for $31,000 in Santa Monica on the 29th of December for what it's worth They tell me that it was about $550 BELOW INVOICE (if you believe what they say)

 

FYI -

"Toyota Vice President Bob Carter told me back in March that Toyota hoped to sell 100,000 2010 Prius hybrids in 2009. Given the state of the economy, 100,000 units sold by the end of the year was a goal based more on hopes than reality. But with 139,682 total Prius sales in 2009, it looks like Toyota may have squeaked out 100,000 3G Prius sales, or at least they got very close.

I'm waiting to hear a break-down from Toyota on 2009 vs 2010 model year sales, but by looking at the sales numbers from January - May 2009, Toyota sold around 42,000 Prius hybrids. The 2010 Prius went on sale in May, so if around 1/3 of the May sales were of 2010 Prius models, Mr. Carter and the rest of Toyota met their goal.

Whether they sold 95,000 or 100,000 2010 Prius units between late May and the end of 2009, the sales results are really a feat. Everything was working against the Prius this year - lower fuel prices, a recessed economy, and a rising Yen."

 

AAA says invoice is $31602. I say you did extremely well.

 

Typically, the best time to buy. Most dealerships have monthly and yearly quotas...by buying at the end of the month, and on the last month of the year, you had buying leverage at those dealerships that had inventory and unmet quotas to fill. No doubt about it.

 

The initial Toyota HQ's Gen3 monthly production plan was 25k for NA, 10k for JP and 5k for EU, total 40k per month.

The results are...
US: approx 14k/month or 95k in 2009
JP: approx 22k/month or 175k in 2009

I don't have EU numbers, but the US number was far below target, I believe.

Ken@Japan

 

All I can speak for is NA, but the target has never been as high as 25k/month. In the US, 15k/month is our rough goal for 2010 CY.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

 

I would suggest that you look at the threads in this forum and the Dealers and Pricing forum about "Discounts" or "Price you paid"--there are about three long threads that will give you many deals to compare. Some will probably be reasonably close to your location.

It is my view that--with some searching--you should be able to do better than MRSP, unless you need to do a special order.

One thing that seems to be effective is sending e-mails asking for quotes from various dealers--some will be reluctant to do that (wanting to talk to you instead), but a few will be willing to and then you can go back to the others.

The fact that the MSRP is going up soon need not be too worrisome--I got something of a discount (not a huge one, like the great negotiators on this forum) from the original MSRP. I got this on a pre-October-price-hike car even after the October price hike. I suspect that the poster who says the new MSRP hike will give dealers more room to negotiate is correct--the October MSRP hike was over twice the October Invoice price hike.

 

Not according to Toyota's VP, Bob Carter. His prediction back in March of 2009 (before the G3 was even release in NA) was around 100K G3's sold in 2009, and they are very close to that number. That's about 100K G3's sold in NA for a 9 month period. See my post above.

 

Yes, you can "deal" on a new Prius. I purchased my 2010 model II with the premium Blizzzard White and got floor mats for $21,477 on 12/31/09. Plus, the $55 doc fee and that's it. I emailed 30 SoCAL dealers to do this and did the transaction with hours to spare.

Regarding "supply & demand", this car is extremely popular in Japan - sometimes #1 ... and batteries are becoming a premium as more brands add them to the line-up. Both these issues are limiting the numbers of Prius coming to the U.S. We are not being flooded with cars or incentives (none that I saw).

Be patient, and work your deal. I drove 75 miles, but saved over $700 from the closest other bid.

 

Now is a good time to buy and be able to negotiate a little on the price, however; beware the price increase in February and the increase in gas prices at the pump will determine how good a deal you can get as time passes. Sure the cars in the US before the price increase wont be affected but as they dry up the new $400 higher price will rule. Also gas prices are rising now, if the recovery continues in a positive light gas prices will go up even more as demand increases and as spring approaches. If this occurs and we are looking at $3.20 or higher gas prices in April, the Prius will see an increase in demand, and below MSRP deals will evaporate as fast as gas spilled on asphalt in the summer sun.

 

I believe Prius selling prices in the "long term" will increase. Toyota's increase, higher gas prices, & more stable economy will be factors. This does not mean that prices increase on a linear scale. Tonight I receive this e-mail from AAA:


Prius 5dr HB V
YOUR OLD PRICE:YOUR NEW PRICE:YOUR PRICE DROPToyota Prius
$1,800 above invoice including incentives Toyota Prius
$500 above invoice including incentives $1,300
Going through the "build & find" brought 2 results within $100 of each other so, right now, right here (& MD) selling prices have dropped since last month.

This year seems to be in line with prior years. Generally, January is the best month to buy based on price.