Archives

The upcoming Honda Hybrid is expected to cost less than a Prius and that could finally take a bit of the air out of the Prius bubble. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/2008/08/no-pricking-the.html#more)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_Toyota_Prius2.jpgMartin Zimmerman – LA Times – Aug. 5, 2008

2008 Toyota Prius in demand.

Hopefully, lower fuel costs will reduce demand and bring Prius supply and demand back into balance. -- Ed.

So far, the recent shrinkage (as George Costanza might say) of the oil price bubble hasn't brought much relief to buyers of another overpriced commodity — the Toyota Prius…

The gas-electric hybrids — which get the best fuel economy of any mass-produced vehicle sold in the U.S. — are staying on dealer lots for an average of five days. The average "time to turn" for all vehicles sold in the U.S. is more like 60 days, meaning that Priuses are basically arriving in showrooms already spoken for.

Some dealers around the L.A. area do have unclaimed Priuses in stock (Toyota of Glendale, for example). But Longo Toyota in El Monte, the world's largest Toyota dealer, has a three-month waiting list.

That scarcity has helped keep Prius prices in the fast lane. Kelley Blue Book, which tracks auto pricing, says Priuses are selling for $1,000 to $1,500 above the car's sticker price of $22,160 to $24,430 (depending on trim level) — and this at a time when overall auto sales are at recessionary levels. Used Priuses also command premium prices. That's especially true in California, where a Prius with the coveted HOV lane sticker — which are transferable to the new owner — can add thousands of dollars to the resale value… http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/2008/08/no-pricking-the.html#more

Hi Catgic:

___We have reported on much of the Prius-III’s possible configurations already. We have also discussed the Global Hybrids possible 71mpg Japan10-15 test as floated by an Edmunds journalist who heard it from a Japanese Honda engineer last month IIRC? If you have seen the Japan 10-15, it is a perfect P&G test cycle. No wonder the Prius works so darn well while performing it ;)

___About the 1.8… Don’t be so sure about the Prius-III losing highway FE. With a little study of the EPA’s numbers on the heavier Corolla w/ stick or auto vs. the Yaris with the same, there is room for improvement. You can expect a touch more power in or around IGN14 (or wherever it may lye?) for both higher speeds and higher torque before it falls away. Secondly, the entire HSD system is being downsized and made more efficient. Instead of a 400W overhead, what if there is 300 :)

___Solar panels? Gimmicky of course but it may allow 3 + miles of driving propulsion for an entire day in the sun or A/C to cover the driving back home in the afternoon w/ A/C running at full tilt. Either or will add to the Prius-III’s FE capability compared to the current.

___And back on topic. Anything that can even out supply and demand is a good thing for everyone including Toyota. A hot commodity can tick people off just as much as they desire such an animal. Think Honda and the Ody w/ $5,000 markups back in 99. The MDX with $2,000 + markups in 01/02 and the Prius with similar in the summer of 06/07. There are members here that will not step onto a Toyota lot due to the fact this supply/demand imbalance has caused the raping of the consumer and it can take a long time for that taste to go away.

___Honda has high hopes for their global hybrid and as reported, it may be based off the Fit chassis given the rumored size. That being said, the wagon based mule that was seen in the US about 3 months ago appeared to be physically larger in both width and length but who knows? Either way, the global hybrid should help even out the supply of highly fuel efficient hybrids so possible future demand will be in balance. That in and of itself may help the average US consumer get his or her deal unlike today where Toyota dealers that have Prius’ coming in are in the cat birds seat in any kind of negotiation.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I wonder what the new price for the new Honda Hybird will do to the price of used Hybrids. Here is the price of a used Prius at Carmax (http://www.carmax.com/enUS/view-car/default.html?AVi=1&id=5266331&N=4294967002&D=90&zip=20724&No=0&Ep=Homepage%20Type&Rp=R&PP=20&sV=List&CD=15+8+9&Q=e05457c6-551b-4a65-9ebf-96816d83e118):

2008 Toyota Prius Touring 4D Hatchback No-haggle price
$29,998*

Estimate monthly payments

Miles 5K
Drive 2WD
Transmission Automatic
ExteriorWhite
InteriorGray
Leather

Yes, a 20 sq. ft. PV-Array trickle charging the Traction Battery while you are at work is better than zero trickle charge...

Not when you think it through. Right now, and for the foreseeable future, the supply of solar cells is driven by manufacturing capacity. If Toyota, or some other manufacturer, starts putting large numbers of cells on their cars, it's only going to drive up the price for other applications. Meanwhile, those car-mounted cells are generating only a fraction of the electricity they could if they were mounted on south-facing roofs in sunny areas, and connected to the grid. Lose-lose, seems to me.

I checked my local Toyota dealer's website today and they suddenly have about 15 Prii either in stock or available. They have had nothing for the last few months. They also have 8 used 2008's. Maybe things are starting to slow down a little.