TCI Media Release - Canadian Pricing

I really don't understand Toyota Canada's packaging decisions at all.

It makes it a much easier decision to stay with the Gen 3.

 

@Tideland Prius Thanks for the video!

You don't see a Toyota rep, but you can really feel them, the review seems very familiar, with the mentions of: standardized architecture, the lower center of gravity, the lower front badge (this continues to puzzle me), the slalom course test vs 3rd gen.

 

So if I was ready to buy one I wouldn't. Great work Toyota Canada. Keep it up! At least they know how to sell SUVs and PUs.

Note to Americans, we aren't allowed to watch the Superbowl commercials - broadcasters insert their own paid ones in Canada.
Big brother is controlling. Not competent enough to watch.
So, there were three plays of the 2016 Prius one. For Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, I guess.

 

That's totally bizarre.

That's odd too. OK not so odd, but they should indicate that somewhere in their specs. I wonder what it means for the performance of the battery though. I already have Li-ion in my Plug-in though, so... been there, done that.

 

Toyota Prius 2016 - Test Drive

 

For Canada AWD ??

 

AWD only in Japan. Pity.

 

I don't get it. They have both the 2015 and the 2016 for sale at Toyota, but even after considering the Toyota rebates on the 2015, the 2015 still costs significantly more than the 2016 at the higher end at least. Why on earth would you get the high end 2015 then?

Prius 2015:
$26305 - Standard Package
$29550 - Moonroof Upgrade Package
$31290 - Touring Package
$34390 - Technology Package

Then take $1500 off that price, so:
$24805 - Standard Package
$28050 - Moonroof Upgrade Package
$29790 - Touring Package
$32890 - Technology Package

Prius 2016:
$25995 - Standard Package
$26585 - Upgrade Package
$29330 - Touring Standard Package
$28730 - Technology Standard Package
$31990 - Technology Advanced Package

I can think of only four reasons off hand:

1) The 2015 is actually available in decent quantities.
2) Possibly more negotiation room on the 2015. However, that can be partially solved by going through 3rd party brokers.
3) You cannot get the 2016 unless you live in/near three big cities (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver). Is this related to point #1?
4) Better financing rates for the 2015.

BTW, the Aeroplan points deal is back for February. However, it's too bad the Prius doesn't get the awesome financing rates that the RAV4 Hybrid does. We got 0.99% financing from Toyota on the RAV4 Hybrid for 36 months.

 

Pretty good way for Toyota to alienate customers. Up until now, the Prius seemed to be at least as popular in Victoria as in Vancouver or California.

 

You might be right about actual availability, perhaps accuracy lost out to simplicity.
Victoria's winter is actually a bit warmer, drier and sunnier than it is in Vancouver (or Seattle).
I won't get a chance to check at the Victoria dealer before heading South but I'll check the Gen 4 in California and look at the Canadian models when I get back.

 

Victoria is most definitely not part of the Greater Vancouver Area. And yeah, Victoria is a prime Prius demographic with lots of green conscious retirees living in mild weather. The population is not high though, which is probably one big reason Toyota feels comfortable completely ignoring them.

And regardless of the availability, the pricing on the higher end 2015 models still seems bizarre considering they are significantly more expensive that the higher end completely revamped 2016 models.

 

I suspect quantities Toyota can deliver to Canada are limited. The three larger markets, on average, return higher dollars on each sale. To maximize profits, sell the most expensive cars there. Everyone else can fight over the "dregs".

The RAV4 is assembled in Canada. "Move them out!" was probably the order from on high.

 

Why do you say that? Is that actually true? (Honest question.)

The RAV4 Hybrid is 100% made in Japan apparently.