Featured SPOTTED! *UNWRAPPED* 2016 Prius spotted this morning!

For many in this country $3,700 is a premium, espcially if someone is making car payments, that's almost $80.00 per month more!

 

Up until earlier this year, the Prius was the number one selling car in California for several years, so how is that not mainstream. Now the MB B class is certainly not mainstream. I may see one every few months

 

And the only reason that Prii does not continue being the number one seller in California is because there is more hybrid/PHEV/BEV/alternative fuel vehicle competition. In my opinion, this is good for Toyota. Hopefully, it will keep them on their game.

 

California, love it though I do (I'm a native), isn't mainstream when it comes to cars anymore. When Prius sales nationwide compete with Civic, Corolla, Focus, Accord, Camry and Altima, then it'll be mainstream, and that won't happen. Right now it's a niche, and it will always remain one, the only question is the size of the niche (leaving aside its hybrid status, a hatchback will always be a niche purchase in the US market). An average family that prefers a sedan format (most, apparently) will look at the Prius, then look at a 4 cylinder Camry or Accord for less (or higher trim for the same price) and take the extra room and 30 mpg over less room, higher price, and 45 (per Fuelly) or 50 mpg.

Has Toyota ever released info on the percentage of repeat Prius buyers? Based on the sig lines here (admittedly a skewed sample set), it's probably fairly high. Just as there are people who only drive GTIs or Mustangs, some will buy one Prius after another. Many of those true believer/early adopters are moving to PHEVs (with more than 11 miles of range) and BEVs as those choices expand. Prius will always be a niche, albeit a profitable one with a halo for Toyota.

 

sour grapes.

 

I can't disagree with any of your points other than to say that California has always been the leader in technology, style, and innovation. Some would say that is changing, but I would disagree. Just look at recent developments by the State government in environmental requirements and conservation, proliferation of personal PV systems, and transition to a truly multi-ethnic population. Yes, California continues to lead the nation and the Prius is only the tip of the iceberg.

 

My point is driving a HyCamry will sell itself. Sure, they may not be "mainstream", they don't need to be. Then what is "mainstream"? The Ford F-150 is "mainstream" they sell close to one million vehicles every year for the past thirty plus years.

No, hybrids will never be "mainstream". I could have easily purchased a Corolla. But, it is so every day. Corolla is a fine car, I just wanted something not so "mainstream". Globally, Toyota has sold eight million hybrids since the end of 1997. Prius, then, is the mainstream hybrid that the world recognizes it as such.

Just think of the fuel that Prius and other hybrids have saved America. We as a nation have a two million gallon of gasoline habit that we use daily. While the cost per gallon has dropped, nothing says its not going back up again. It does follow a cycle.

Thank goodness Toyota did make a parallel hybrid and Honda made their series hybrid. They make other cars seem prehistoric.

I am not defending Toyota or even why the continue to build hybrids. The world wants them and there are many choices that we have not seen yet. As the corporate average fuel economy goes up, we will see the proliferation of many different forms of transportation. Hybrids may not be for everyone but it seems to me that the people of Prius Chat love their hybrids enough to write about their vehicles in what ever vehicle they happen to own.

You can not remember if you have ridden in a Camry Hybrid? What? Really?

 

Yep! Lensovet must be about my age!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Personally, I cannot imagine ever owning another car that is not a hybrid, at least as my main mode of transportation. I presume that eventually, that is all that Toyota will offer.

I just purchased a 2015 Avalon hybrid. Fantastic car; all the amenities as the normal ICE car; terrific comfort, more than adequate acceleration, interior quietness, perfect fit and finish, no rattles or extraneous noise, external dignified elegance, internal convenience and functionality, and a calculated 40+ mpg. Before anyone says it, I know, it will not haul a 8 foot 2x4, but I have no need for that capability. What more could anyone ask? BTW, Toyota is dealing on the Avalon. If you are in the market, check it out.

 

i cannot drive another car that has an engine running all the time, don't make me do it!.

 

I know, to me I want shut the engine off at a stoplight on a "normal" ICE vehicle.

 

So archaic. Might as well ride a horse and carriage.

 

Actually they were pushed out of the #1 spot by Honda with the Civic.

 

Wow, did not think that selling 8 Million Prius world wide would be a NICHE! I would assume many car companies would love to have this NICHE.

 

^ Well, 3.5 millions (8 millions hybrids) still impressive for 18 years or so.

 

yep, gm would love to have it, but they've guessed wrong so many times, it's pathetic.

 

Lets Go Places ! Congratulations on the 8 Millionth Unit Sold, Toyota !!! What an achievement for Toyota!

For more information please visit the Toyota Pressroom : Corporate…

 

Hybrid Model Global Sales Results | TOYOTA Global Newsroom

 

From the first September 8th Toyota press release in the PR thread:

"The Prius went on sale in 1997 as the world's first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle. ...As of July 31, 2015, cumulative Prius sales exceed 3.5 million vehicles across approximately 80 countries and regions".

So, 3.5 million cars in 18 model years in 80 countries, i.e. about 200,000 per year worldwide. 1.56 million of those have been in the US (over 15 model years), for an average of 100k per year in a market that generally does 14-16 million new vehicle sales per year. Yep, it's a niche.

Believe me, I'd love to see the Prius penetration percentage in California duplicated across the country, but it's not going to happen given the splintering of the Prius family itself (v, c, original) and the PHEV and BEV competition. 5 years ago Prius was essentially the only game in town (Escape hybrids and crap GM mild hybrids excepted). It's a different market now, and while the demand for green cars is rising slowly, the number of entrants is rising much faster. Peak US Prius sales were in 2007 at 181k, and I doubt that number will be exceeded. That's around 1% of the US market. Add in the other members of the Prius family, maybe it goes to 2%. It's a niche.

 

The 16-17 millions sold/year include Pick ups, Suvs, cars, etc..

Prius is sort of one model among: 2014 U.S. Vehicle Sales Rankings - Top 280 Best-Selling Vehicles In America - Every Vehicle Ranked - GOOD CAR BAD CAR