Toyota Considers a Prius Product Family WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Prius brand name is gaining so much cachet with consumers that Toyota is considering launching an entire family of Prius models in different body styles, according to Jim Press, president of Toyota Motor North America. "When it was first launched, Prius benefited from the halo effect of the Toyota brand reputation," Press told Inside Line. "Now, the Toyota brand is benefiting from the halo effect of the Prius." With that in mind, Toyota is contemplating ways to put that Prius halo to work. "We are looking at expanding the Prius line of products to include other body styles," Press said. What models might join today's five-door hatchback remains to be determined. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=118769
Not sure how they would do it, but it is interesting. I found this kind of strange. Is he trying to say the only way to keep up the high demand for the Prius is the tax credit? Seems like the Prius still has one of the lowest number of days of sitting on the lot before being sold even though the tax credit is phasing out. Local dealerships still rarely have one on the lot for more than a couple of days before it is sold. Last time I checked in late October, it was generally still a two-three month wait to get a Prius here.
this was talked about in an earlier thread and i think if that will hasten a full line of EFFECTIVE hybrids all geared to economy without compromise then lets do it. a two seat commuter, mini-van, large sedan, and a truck would do great for starters.
I guess I'd better get to work on those WeePriis, eh? Where's the design studio I should send my models? Assuming there's ever a real truck version, how would Toyota keep it from becoming known as a 'prickup'? (Sorry for all the questions. I think that thread is getting to me.)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(micheal @ Dec 8 2006, 09:20 AM) [snapback]359271[/snapback]</div> Well, unfortunately it's true. Waiting lists are pretty much gone now, and many dealers do have a few Prii on the lots. I would guess that the demand for hybrids and fuel efficient vehicles hasn't diminished, however. When people make buying decisions, it's got to be awfully hard to choose the Prius, with it's lower credit, over another hybrid with a higher credit - you get more money back for buying from other manufacturers, so why wouldn't you take advantage of that? It's like saying "i have 25k to spend on a car... i can get a low level Prius, or a tricked out _____ with the additional tax credit...", and those additional features that you essentially get "for free" are probably swaying a lot of people. After all, they reason, a hybrid is a hybrid is a hybrid - there's not much difference between them all.
Yes yes, exceptions to every rule... Even back when some areas had 6 month waiting lists we'd hear stories about people seeing Prii on a lot, or showing up to order one and driving home the very same day... The key, though, is the overall view, where most areas don't have waiting lists anymore.
This is what we all have been waiting for, where the Prius and hybrids are on the lots like any other cars, where people can actually see them and test drive, although Dealer knowledge of the car could still be improved. Most of our friends and acquaintances have only heard about the Prius, but other than that, almost no clue to what it is, or all the benefits involved. Pretty excited after we have shown and demonstrated the car to them. Check out the Price Pulse for hybrids from HybridCars.com: "Compare prices, waiting lists, and deposit info with your fellow hybrid car shoppers. The difference between buying from the dealer next door, and the guy two towns over, could be thousands of dollars..." http://www.hybridcars.com/pricepulse/index...pcode=&car=
I've mentioned it in the other thread but it would be nice.. Prius Plus, Prius Roadster haha... you know.. like the MINI convertible, MINI Traveller etc.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Dec 8 2006, 08:42 AM) [snapback]359319[/snapback]</div> what "tricked out" cars do you think people would want if they were shopping for a prius and decided to get another car? what car as more of a tax credit? thanks! <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Dec 8 2006, 08:42 AM) [snapback]359319[/snapback]</div> what "tricked out" cars do you think people would want if they were shopping for a prius and decided to get another car? what car has more of a tax credit then the Prius does now ? thanks!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Dec 8 2006, 11:03 AM) [snapback]359294[/snapback]</div> Or a "pruck"?
The idea of a Prius-family of hybrids was brought up when I went to my "new car orientation" meeting for my 2nd Prius, 18 months ago. The dealer-owner said that Toyota was mulling over the idea of marketing all their hybrids (some day) in the future with the Prius name.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Dec 8 2006, 01:42 PM) [snapback]359319[/snapback]</div> My point was not that there are waiting lists in all areas, but on average the Prius still has one of the lowest if not the lowest number of days sitting on the lot before being sold. (At least from the latest articles I recall reading on this subject). If this is still the case (I couldn't find any new articles about this), then the writer giving the impression that all of the sudden Priuses aren't selling well is either just erroneous or simply misleading. Not so sure that the tax credit is swaying people to other hybrids. The only other hybrid available for 25K that would get near the discount is the HCH (both with most of the options). All of the other hybrids are more expensive at this point.
I think: what Jim Press said, Tax credit and 3~4 months wait all year long has evaporated. Now the Prius still sells very well but no longer 3~4 months wait.
When I bought mine last September, they had half a dozen on the lot, and it took less than a week for them to locate one with the options we wanted. But maybe there is better supply here in California, they said they sell a good number of them at the dealership we bought from.
Your American "tax credit" seems to be a bit of a sham. At least in the posts I've read. Most seem to save "up to" $500, for a $4000 "tax credit". Anyone wish to post a better result? If this is true, it's just smoke and mirrors. I like our setup better, $2000 back (they mailed me a check after I applied), no limits, no problems. At any rate, if either of these "incentives" affects your buying decision, you aren't serious about purchasing a Prius, and I wouldn't count your decision not to seriously! People are so easily led about by the nose!
Yeah, that and the pocketbook. And the...oh, never mind. Yes, the terms 'tax credit' and 'the cheque's in the mail' are easily confused. Hey, is this dead thread revival week?
