Prius I, and Other News

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Prius Team, Sep 25, 2009.

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  1. Prius Team

    Prius Team Toyota Marketing USA

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    The good folks with the Prius Team have shared some details in the PriusChat forums about the Prius I and a "price adjustment" on the Prius II-V models. The Prius I is the "base" model Prius that was announced to compete with the Honda Insight on price, while still offering the MPG and size of the Prius. Between January to May, Toyota probably was pretty worried about the Insight cramping the Prius' sales figures. So they came up with the idea of the Prius I, a "stripped, not equipped" version of the car. Well, flash forward 4 months and the Insight has not put any dent in Prius sales and Toyota is having problems meeting demand for their new generation dynamo car. A couple of days ago, Toyota's Prius Team got onto PriusChat and announced that the Prius I would only be available to fleet customers "for the time being". They also announced a $400 "price adjustment" (read: increase) on the Prius II-V models. Here is the skinny from the Prius Team, as posted in this thread:
    Hi folks, got two pieces of news for you. First off, Prius I is coming soon. Now, don't get your hopes up, because we're going to offer it only to fleets for the time being, but I did want to let you in on the specs. It will essentially come equipped as a Prius II, less the following:​
    • Cruise Control
    • Touch Tracer display
    • Smart Key
    • EV mode
    • Rear wiper
    • Rear tonneau cover
    • Heated side mirrors
    • Satellite radio antenna and satellite capable radio
    • Rear armrest with two cup holders
    • Two rear-door speakers
    • Rear heater duct
    • Passenger-seatback pocket
    • Foldable rear headrests
    • Underbody spoilers and spats
    ​
    Prius I will also only come in Dark Grey interior. The MSRP is $21,000, as previously announced. Second piece of news: Prius II-V model base MSRP will be adjusted to reflect an increase of $400, which will take effect with US port arrivals on October 18, 2009.
     
    #1 Prius Team, Sep 25, 2009
    9 people like this.
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    odd, no EV mode? That's a pretty much zero cost thing (and certainly a hack that will occur almost immediately)...I assume that's to encourage people to shell out extra for the 'feature'?
     
    #2 efusco, Sep 25, 2009
  3. anniea

    anniea New Member

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    Wow. While some of these items might be considered "luxuries," a few seem pretty essential to me. In particular, I find that whenever it rains hard, I have to use the rear wiper, because that window is nearly horizontal and seems to hold onto the water, making it hard to see through. I'm surprised that cruise control would be absent. While not essential, I think rear cup holders would be pretty usual. Finally, I like the rear folding headrests because they improve the visibility a little.
     
    #3 anniea, Sep 25, 2009
  4. priora

    priora Junior Member

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    Why will there be a $400 increase?
     
    #4 priora, Sep 25, 2009
  5. archermoo

    archermoo New Member

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    At a guess I'd say because the demand is high enough that they feel they can charge an extra $400 without reducing demand below supply. But that's just a guess...
     
    #5 archermoo, Sep 25, 2009
  6. regentofthesun

    regentofthesun New Member

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    Hey Prius Team!
    I have attempted twice to send a question via mail without luck. Is there a better way to forward the question over without posting to the open forum?
    Thanks,
    Tom
     
    #6 regentofthesun, Sep 25, 2009
  7. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    As he said, the initial offering is for fleet usage. I guess Toyota assumes that most fleets want a stripped vehicle. I'm guessing at $21K most consumers would still opt for the II with more features. Perhaps not.
     
    #7 wvgasguy, Sep 25, 2009
  8. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    So with a $400 increase in MSRP and more tacked on for safety Connect and the USB, loaded V's will cost close to $1K more. Glad I got mine early.
     
    #8 wvgasguy, Sep 25, 2009
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    It is great to see Toyota is keeping the alloy wheels.
     
    #9 usbseawolf2000, Sep 25, 2009
  10. Jayhawker

    Jayhawker New Member

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    I also think this is Toyotas way of competing with the Insight.
     
    #10 Jayhawker, Sep 25, 2009
  11. moss

    moss Junior Member

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    No cruise, keyless, or EV. I was hoping EV and keyless would stay. $400 extra will make the II come out to around $23,200 without tax.

    That is getting too high for me. I've got to draw the line somewhere. The scale just tipped heavily towards the Insight. There's claims of people buying them for close to invoice ($20,098) and most getting mpg of 47 to 50.
     
    #11 moss, Sep 25, 2009
  12. Jayhawker

    Jayhawker New Member

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    Here in Phoenix the Insight is an "invoice" car all day though the profit margin is very small like the Prius. I think once the newness of the Prius settles down, the dealerships will be giving these away like all the other cars. I remember when the new Tundra came out and MSRP lasted for a like two months then they were giving them away. It's all about supply and demand.
     
    #12 Jayhawker, Sep 25, 2009
  13. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

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    prius team



    please fixed the ipod interface problems.

    find some way to turn off the embedded satellite radio, even if we need to use pliers to rip it out.


    thank you












    .
     
    #13 SlowTurd, Sep 25, 2009
  14. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    So is this intended as the "most base possible prius"? I could
    live without cruise, but I think EV is kind of an important
    operational thing. Perhaps all one has to do is add a button
    and the appropriate lead to the ECU to restore it, like in the
    second-gen? The rest of the strippage I'd totally agree with.
    .
    Might make a good mule for various PHEV testing, too...
    .
    _H*
     
    #14 hobbit, Sep 25, 2009
  15. hampdenwireless

    hampdenwireless Active Member

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    Wow. If they would have left the cruise in I could consider a Prius I.

    PS - I like deleting the following for minor weight or cost savings:
    rear wiper (I know some love it, but rainx is good enough for me)
    sat radio - I usually change my radio to third party
    rear armrest - often i have a front passenger but only TWICE in 5 years for the rear
    same as above for rear heater and seatback pocket and headrests
     
    #15 hampdenwireless, Sep 25, 2009
  16. Gen 3 for me

    Gen 3 for me Member

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    #16 Gen 3 for me, Sep 25, 2009
  17. Gen 3 for me

    Gen 3 for me Member

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    Wow someone who thinks like me. I would want to keep the under body aero aids however if I could have my choice.
     
    #17 Gen 3 for me, Sep 25, 2009
  18. bps

    bps Active Member

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    Interesting. It seems like it would actually cost Toyota money to exclude some of these items, but apparently not. At any rate, thank you Prius Team for sharing this with us!

    As for the $400 cost increase, it seems that everything from Japan is undergoing cost increases due to the "value of the Yen". I'm really into photography, and can you believe that the prices of most lenses have increased 30% in the last year? The Canon 300mm 2.8L IS was $3,500 12 months ago. Now it costs $4,600. It's out of control...

    Bryan
     
    #18 bps, Sep 26, 2009
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Hmm interesting. Fleet as in car rentals or just companies that need a set of company vehicles? Cause some of those I thought are essentials and if we want ppl to drive and appreciate the Prius, it'd be nice if it had a few basics like the rear seat heater ducts and the rear wiper. The other stuff I can see it as non-essential. Also, does that mean the Prius I will potentially get less mpg because of the missing underbody covers at highway speeds?

    Again, I assume that your marketing suggests these fleet vehicles will be driven around town only?
     
    #19 Tideland Prius, Sep 26, 2009
  20. garygid

    garygid Senior Member - Blizzard Pearl

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    The Prius I model is not available to consumers - that is the real news.

    Perhaps these options were deleted partly to make it NOT appealing to us individuals?
     
    #20 garygid, Sep 26, 2009
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