Featured Prius v ends US run, Rav4 hybrid took its sales

Fair enough - I've used incorrect terminology. Please allow me to rephrase.

Is it of value to create a dedicated chassis and body combination solely for a hybrid model versus simply putting a hybrid drivetrain into an existing chassis and body combination?

The RAV4 is available in both gasoline and hybrid models. That simply has to be more economical than having any given body only available as a hybrid, doesn't it?

 

Well, in most instances these days, companies are in business to maximize profits and please shareholders.

 

• all one color that changes each year with a price increase
• all one set of options, nothing new until the inventory is used up
• all non-accounting staffs reduced to minimum, minus one
• all other employees are temporary w/o pensions and medical

Bob Wilson

 

Except they didn't consider the PHEV in the design process.

With the reduction in hybrid battery packs sizes, there is no longer a need to design a stand alone hybrid. The hybrid system already fit into the space of the traditional engine and transmission. Toyota could just offer a Corolla hybrid(include a hatchback version at the same time), and it could have fuel economy close to the Prius, and most people would be fine with the Prius disappearing. The rumor is that is what will happen with the Yaris and Prius c/Aqua.

But there can still be value in having a dedicated hybrid model. It is in the halo effect, like the Volt gave Chevy. The marketing value could warrant the additional cost for such a model.

Chrysler's K-car was one of the first modular platforms. It didn't work out for them in the end.

 

No, but it worked out well for them in the beginning. It kept them from bankruptcy and allowed them to develop the first modern minivan. They just hung their hat on that one platform for far too long.

 

Hopefully Toyota, and any others, have learned that lesson.

 

Well, they sort of do, in the UK. The USDM Corolla hatchback (Corolla iM) is the UKDM Toyota Auris. Unsurprisingly, it's offered in a hybrid - perhaps in other markets as well.

 

Yes, and the Auris hybrid sells better than the Prius because it is made locally.
The US Corolla isn't an Auris though, the iM aside, and is slightly bigger. I understand that the CT200 was based on that Corolla. China is getting a hybrid of that Corolla.

 

Got 2 new Prius v owners, just on my block this month...
is Toyota sure they are not selling, or are they not trying too hard?

 

There's one person in the thread confident they aren't selling anywhere in the U.S. anyway, but he's wrong. Like I said in California, they (all Prii) are flying off the shelves.

 

There is $1750 cash back and a 0% for 5 years deal on the Toyota site for the v, and slightly better for the Prius on Toyota's sight. Locally, listings for the v can be found for around $3000 off. It is December, and there are only 2017 models, so the v deals will only get better.

*sigh*


I have posted links to the Prius v's actual sales data showing that they have been dropping since its first couple of years. It will take a major run on the model for 25,000 to be sold this year, and it likely won't sell even 24,000. The same site has the data for the the rest of the Prius family. Only the Prime is doing well, but it is part of the reason that 2017 Prius sales will be over 30,000 less than 2016. The Prius c/Aqua is likely to be cancelled, and replaced with a Yaris hybrid.

Here are the Prius family sales data, showing that sales have been dropping year to year since 2012.
Toyota Prius Family Sales Figures -

You have yet to explain how offering the v in California will save it in North America.

 

If you think about it the v is a 2010 gen III car with window dressing selling in 2017, no wonder it’s down in sales

If we want niche cars in the US we would need to repeal gray market laws, it used to be you could import most any used car you want if you were willing to pay, it should still be that way.

 

That is so, but between the its current and past success, and the very well selling Rav4h, Toyota doesn't believe the new version will regain enough sales to be worth the effort to bring to market. It is a wagon in a crossover market after all.

So the Prius v is gone from the North American market.
The Prius c is likely to be replaced by the Yaris hybrid globally.
The Prius will stick around as a halo car, but I expect it to lose more sales next year, because of the improved Camry hybrid.

Yes, I for one would welcome diesel cars made to laxer emission standards.

 

You pretend that there is no space between none and all I see...

I’m guessing you figure half of all us cars sold would be Euro diesels if the law changed because everyone can easily afford and desires to be shipping a car from overseas?

I would as well as long as it was within the former gray market framework of used cars sold by 3rd parties or bought by individuals with tight volume limits.

Also it has been determined that all cars made after 1999 have minimal effect on local pollution even with faulty emissions in tow, this is because “new” car pollution is dwarfed by trucks, vans and “commercial “ segment vehicles.

I would also like to see reciprocal agreements on emissions and crash standards between our first world countries

 

I see shades, and wouldn't mind the allowance of grey market imports. I wouldn't go through the hassle personally; a Canadian family had to go to the Japanese dealership to get replacement keys for their grey import recently. I just threw out the diesel example to show that making gray market imports easier means allowing cars in that people might not want to see on the road here.

If I did import, it would be for a Mexican Super Beetle or diesel Land Rover.

 

Luckily there's an "ignore" feature on this board.

 

Moral2. If you buy a car with only one SKS fob you have 2 critical tasks.

Make sure the physical key operates the door locks

Get and program at least one more SKS fob ASAP.

 

Was answering how a California Prius v would save the model in the US too hard?
Or was questioning your persecution complex over California gas taxes too offensive?

For the record, I have put people on the ignore list. It was for being rude or proving to just be a noise generator. I don't try to engage the poster afterwards, though. Otherwise, I'd let the matter die, as I did the gas price difference between Ca and Pa.

I mentioned it to illustrate that unexpected issues and costs can arise with a gray import car. Like it might not occur to some that a Japanese import with have its dash and displays in Japanese. These will still pertain even with easier import laws.