Time for Toyota to Drop HSD Hybrids?? - Lexus Flagship LS600h and GS450h?

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by vsd

June 2007 was a completely different time than June 2008. In June 2007, you could go to a Toyota lot and find a sizable selection of Priuses, in June 2008 the best you can hope for is a Brochure and your name on a list. The reason is indeed poor product planning at the corporate level. This can explain the problem better than I can. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/...ess/hybrid.php and http://www.hybridcars.com/decision/r...ting-list.html

There is another issue that may be coming on strongly. The devaluation of the US$ is making all imported products, Prius', TVs', you name it, less and less attractive. I can see where there might have been a corporate decision NOT to over supply the least attractive market. The hybrid models that can be made may be staying at home to supply that demand or ending up in Europe where they bring $10000 - $15000 more per unit.

From the referenced article on hybridcars.com

Unless Toyota sends a lot more cars, we’re going to see Prius wait lists spin out again to about six months,” said Toby Parks, sales manager at Toyota of Berkeley, Calif., in an interview with HybridCars.com.

What if they choose NOT to send a lot more cars? It's just money, it's just business.

When I was a supplier to Chrysler I had to go to Auburn Hills to tell them that their price was going up by $200 / ton due to currency issues and potential governmental duties. If they didn't agree then we'd have to cut them off. They didn't agree and barred me from entering the building in the future, but we did end up cutting them off. It was just business.....$50,000,000 worth of business.

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by GMusa

limited availability of the Prius?? Here in my home town the Toyota lots are full of Prius'!

Invalid post without specific references to dealers with links to their inventories. Why would some town in Ohio have more than enough when every other city in the US is sold out with waiting lists going out 3-6 months?

[Rex Raider]

We have 1 2009 Hybrid Camry in stock (my personal demo)
We have No Prius and No Highlander Hybrids.
It doesn't look like we will get any more 2008 model Hybrids.
It's a similar story across the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).

[roteague]

Originally Posted by Rex Raider

We have 1 2009 Hybrid Camry in stock (my personal demo)
We have No Prius and No Highlander Hybrids.
It doesn't look like we will get any more 2008 model Hybrids.
It's a similar story across the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).

I hope you are counting your blessings then.

[Squachy]

Maybe if they made the Lexus hybrids actually focus on fuel economy rather than using them as supercharger/turbo replacements they'd find more buyers.

[john1701a]

Originally Posted by Squachy

Maybe if they made the Lexus hybrids actually focus on fuel economy rather than using them as supercharger/turbo replacements they'd find more buyers.

That wouldn't make any sense. Luxury vehicles have always been low-volume products, not intended to be part of the mainstream.

[Rex Raider]

Most people that we sell hybrids to buy the more for "environment" than for fuel economy. It is was only about fuel economy, it makes more sense to buy a Corolla than a Prius, when you factor in the cost of the car, etc...

[benroethig]

Of course sales are down. When prices are skyrocketing, the last thing on most peoples minds is buying a new vehicle.

[AkSean]

Originally Posted by GMusa

limited availability of the Prius?? Here in my home town the Toyota lots are full of Prius'!

Name of dealerships please. We have 47 people on our prius wait list ATM. There is not ONE dealership in our region that has a prius on the lot for sale. We have one prius on ground, and it is for DEMO only. People offer us over M.S.R.P. for our DEMO everyday.

[Tiger]

Those sales numbers for Toyota look odd...seriously.

A quick search on Autotrader.com shows 1,400+ 2008 model year Toyota Prius' for sale in the USA. Hardly qualifies as a shortage IMHO.

That said some greedy dealers are asking $30,000 for a used one! LOL.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by Rex Raider

We have 1 2009 Hybrid Camry in stock (my personal demo)
We have No Prius and No Highlander Hybrids.
It doesn't look like we will get any more 2008 model Hybrids.
It's a similar story across the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).

go to us zip code 92124 run a search for synergy drive vehicles.
See there will be at least 60 within 50 miles

[AMERICA 123]

They have about an extra 200 Priuses sold in Canada AND approx. 1800 extra sold in Japan for June 2008 - over June 2007 - which was not a strong month.

This story isn't about demand - which appears to be there and is strong.

It's really about a radical lack of supply.

[Rex Raider]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

go to us zip code 92124 run a search for synergy drive vehicles.
See there will be at least 60 within 50 miles

Unfortunately, canadian dealers can not dealer trade vehicles with the US.

[EldoFan]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and take the side of Honda........though I'll admit they screwed up good with the Accord Hybrid.....it was withdrawn from their lineup with little fanfare and from my POV at least, there was very little blowback when said hybrid was discontinued. Lesson to learn: when you're going to go out on a limb, do it quietly......(unless your technology & benefits have been proven & the costs are clear)