2016 Prius is not selling - Now $2000 Rebate!

Who loves the rabbit?

See post # 23 I'd agree.
For a 2016 model purchased in Aug a $5K discount is strong and $7K wow.
2017 models should arrive at dealers in Sep, yes?

A Rav over a Prius v...snow vs. sun I'd say could be the main factor.

 

Since cleanmpg.com is slow to share, here is an interesting article with the latest Prius sales figures:

July 2016 Green Car Sales: The slightly-better-news edition - Autoblog

Looks like US YTD sales are down by about the same percentage as the decline in MPG caused by the 17" tires.

 

with gas prices being what they are, i bet the 17's are selling like hotcakes.

 

Could it be that Toyota rally screwed up the hatchback and the Prime? It was said that upper management sent the design team "back to the board." Remember the introduction was delayed back then.

Lagging sales are reported in the hatchback. Why? A drop in fuel cost? We can't hold management responsible for something that was unforeseen. But did they misjudged the public's reaction to the loss of the 5th seat in the Prime? Toyota is alleged to now be making structural changes to correct (and delaying introduction again). Then the solar roof .... not sure what the issue is there, but apparently Toyota is back-tracking and will make adjustments in order to provide solar. 17" tires? Did they go to 17" tires based on consumer demand for appearance sake? Was the loss of fuel efficiency worth it? Then, only 22 mile EV when the Volt provides more than 2x the EV milage? And lastly, the styling .... it has turned me off, even though I am in the market ..... but alas, that is subjective, and I acknowledge some like the design.

 

Wow! That reminds me a lot of the anecdotal comment made last year, when the production of Prius PHV ended. Many of the comments were just plain wrong too. Having virtually no data to work with and disregarding certain facts is a dead giveaway the discussion is not constructive...

Start with the inventory shortage. Availability of the gen-4 Prius was severely hampered by a third-party supplier suffering from a major fire at a production facility. Without those needed parts, there's simply no way to deliver the vehicle. That's not speculation. That's not rocket science. That's not spin. It's basic business fundamentals. No parts. No product.

Next is the reality of a very confusing market. To expect the gen-4 Prius to be an instant success upon rollout is not realistic. Consumers are becoming overwhelmed by all the information now being spread. Look no further than the auto-show circuit this Spring. Notice the wide variety of green choices being promoted? How the heck is an ordinary person supposed to figure out that mess quickly?

The most telling though is the comparisons to Volt capacity. Since when is it appropriate to compare EV miles to a vehicle struggling with sales? Prius was always the basis of comparison due to its strong demand. That's not the outcome from GM's offering. Why in the world would you say Toyota should follow the same course when it hasn't been successful?

As for the supposed "delay" belief, since when does a rollout early-summer make any sense? That's when production ends for retooling and clearance takes place. Having a rollout occur then simply makes no sense. The cycle has been for that to take place at the close of the calendar year. Think about how long it takes to begin production, then ship the vehicles here.

Remember, the goal is to appeal to the masses. That means delivering an affordable vehicle which won't stir excitement among enthusiasts. Prius Prime will be an entry-level choice for plug-in hybrids... a very compelling one, different enough to stand out, but the technology not intimidating.

Expecting more reveals a misunderstanding of intended audience.

 

I have never seen a Prius with five people inside driving . I think I am the only Prius sometime out there. What I see a lot is Gen 3 . The only way I buy a Prime. It need to go 100 miles not 22 miles. I drive 90 miles a day. For now the Gen 4 does what I need for it.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

John1701a - You points are all valid, and I cannot dispute them or argue with you. But you did not comment on the 5th seat .... whenever a manufacturer (any manufacturer) introduces a brand new product, then immediately alters the product (in this case offering a 5th seat), it makes me wonder if they misjudged the market. The same with the solar roof. BTW, from what I read, the second generation Volt is selling well, as is apparently the RAV4 hybrid. Toyota judged that one correctly. As for inventory shortage? our small town dealer has a lot full.

You said: "Remember, the goal is to appeal to the masses. That means delivering an affordable vehicle which won't stir excitement among enthusiasts." I agree re the goal of appealing to the masses, but they have missed the mark if they don't "stir excitement among the enthusiasts." Excitement is a component of being an enthusiast. I still feel excitement every time I drive my 16 year old roadster. When the enthusiast looses the excitement ... they look elsewhere.

PS Dragon Rider - No, I don't recall ever putting 5 people in the rear seat of my 2010 Prius. But I did put an infant seat in the middle on occasion. The 5th seat is not a 'biggie' to me, but I'm suspicious when accommodations follow so quickly.

That's my opinion, but I know others feel differently.

 

You know for certain that a 5th seat is coming?

You know that it will be standard, rather than an option?

Also, the reveal was used to solicit feedback. The design clearly had not been finalized... hence the prototype label.

 

John1701a - Hey .... I'm just fat, dumb and happy. I read PriusChat for interest and enlightenment.
I know virtually nothing more than I read on PC. There is a thread "The 5-seat Prius Prime is on the way," another "Prius Prime Launch Delayed," and this thread, "2016 Prius Not Selling." Beyond that, I have no inside information.

I recognize you and Trollbait as being technically informed, and I enjoy bisco's comments and one liners. Otherwise, I am just an interested reader .... I really appreciated my 2010 Prius that I traded on a 2015 Avalon hybrid (both terrific cars). I am in the market for another hybrid, and favor the Prime over the hatchback visually, but I fear it will be out of my price range. I'm waiting and watching for the Hyundai hybrid. I'd love a Tesla 3 ... but I know that is just wishful thinking.

 

Then consider yourself informed now. The internet is loaded with intentionally misleading information. There's is also a lot of speculation that turns into "fact" simply through the act of passing it along. Squashing that as soon as detected is what some of us make an effort to do.

The case with Prius Prime is especially noteworthy... because Toyota is attempting to expand the market by reaching new customers through the reputation of Prius, but not taking a cannibalizing approach. Just think if they made it too much like Prius. There wouldn't be any growth. Buyers would simply shift from a 55 MPG hybrid to a 120 MPGe plug-in hybrid. That's not the desired outcome.

It upsets & dismays some supporters of Prius that such an approach would be taken. That's to be expected. Diversification means appealing to another group, not just more of the same.

Gen-1 offerings of plug-in vehicles consisted primarily of conquest sales which depended heavily upon tax-credit & HOV incentives. The expectation by our readers is for that trend to continue with Gen-2 offerings. After all, gas is cheap and business-sustaining high-volume production of large-capacity battery-packs is still years away.

Toyota is attempting to try something different, hoping to gain new interest as a result. Delivering a configuration with seemingly too little capacity and making too great of a cargo tradeoff is what many enthusiasts & antagonists focus on... rather than recognizing the goal of growth... and what it takes to achieve that.

The topic of profitability isn't interesting to most people. That prevents constructive discussion. Risk taking is often perceived as making a mistake. That prevents constructive discussion. Historical choices are often referred later to as obvious. That also prevents constructive discussion.

In other words, there is much to discuss and it is quite a challenge when there isn't even clarity about what was said and what goals are.

 

felt, what are you referring to with the solar roof. japan only, right? is there some news?

 

bisco - Like I said, I get all my information from PC.

Tideland Prius mentioned on another thread .... "Because previously, it implied it was arriving late 2016 with the solar roof availability in early 2017. If it's arriving in 2017, then there's no need for the solar roof disclaimer (and I don't see it anywhere)"

There were other comments that I have not looked up. Personally, I have no interest in a solar roof ..... wouldn't want it if it came with one ..... but some people seem to really want one.

 

thanks, no question. seems to be one of those items people love or hate. i guess i'm confused by all the statements made by people with no direct quote from toyota.

another problem is that some statements only refer to japan, or another market, but then get misinterpreted as being u.s.

 

I finally did it!!!! I'm a proud new owner... Paperwork is signed, deposit is paid and I Pick her up on Monday!!

2016 Silver Three with Advanced Tech Package, body side moulding, and rubber mats and cargo tray.

$4600 off MSRP of $29547 using Costco plan including the 2k rebate and they paid off my truck. I'm gonna grab a low interest loan from my credit union to pay for it. This dealership gave me $3100 more for my trade than the darn place where I had bought 4 cars in the past! Needless to say that's my new go to spot!

I am so ecstatic. My insurance now goes down and my mpg will improve about 6 fold!!!

 

congratulations! well done, all the best!

 

Very nice deal!
I have almost that same package, Silver 3 w/ ATP. That body side moulding does look good on it, might have to get that for mine.

 

Way to go...

What APR have you found with your credit union(s)?

Lowest ones I've found is 1.8% with RBFCU and 1.9 with Penfed when I was considering opting for the $2k cash (went for 0% from TFS instead)...

Fyi, your dealer who you've bought your last 4 vehicles from probably got used to your repeat business and took it for granted by assuming you'd come back again to provide them some extra coin this time, lol.

 

2016 Honda Civic (which is also a totally new model this year) is up 17.6% YTD here. I think the new Prius is down 10% YTD because not good enough value and the redesign putting some people off.

Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America - July 2016 - GOOD CAR BAD CAR

 

The official rate just got up'd with the fed hike to 2.24% for up to 72 months. It used to be 1.99% for up to 66..

But

The credit union will be rate matching 1.9% for 72 that the dealership said they could get for me

A win in my books.

And to think the last time I bought a car (my old Persona) before my truck from that other dealership I was nice enough to buy both my salesman and the GM a nice bottle of bourbon for thier efforts. Not anymore. Lol.