My dealer tells me Toyota increased production 60% for 2009 however, gas is going up, so demand for Prius will go up...probably 61%. Get on a wait list now if you want one.
Almost ... And perhaps even the other world too, you know the one not in the USA. You realise there is a whole world with a diverse range of people? The Prius even comes from that world too. They ensure supply in the USA by charging extortion pricing everywhere else.
good thing we wouldnt want the rest of the world to like us:spy:, oh wait new prez coming soon, we love everybody and everybody will love us again too!!
Well, maybe. See this thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-h...us-california-dreamin.html?highlight=dreamin'
Here around the bay area, supply seems to be coming back. I've moved much faster on the waiting list than the dealer thought. Apparantly, people who were on the long waiting lists are: 1) Finding other alternatives like Yaris's. 2) Are no longer able to afford to buy a new prius due to recent financial issues.
Til this year the US got 2 out of every 3 Prius units built. As one poster noted above their plans are to increase production by 60% this year. All that would bode well for us.... ....except that the US$ has fallen by 20% vs the J-Yen. Thus for a $20000 vehicle in cost the producer has to absorb a $4000 'loss' or 'lower revenue' next year as compared to this year. If the US$ falls farther then it' may approach a $5000 loss. In that case I'd expect a significant price jump. Sort of a 'take-it-or-leave-it' offer in the face of $4 to $5 fuel. This is just big business after all. There's no 'right' of the US to get all the Prius' when for example the same vehicle sells for prices in excess of $35000 in the UK for example. Then there's the Aussie's, the rest of Europe, SE Asia and ...not to forget the 1800 lb gorilla sitting in the corner....China. What would you think of a Package #2 @ $26000 Package #4 @ $28500 Package #5 @ $29500 Package #6 @ $31000 Worth it or not? Just for kicks look at the Moroney label of a package #6 today....then add back in the $2000 discount started last year. That price sure looks awfully close to $31000 to me. It's just business.
