REPORT: Toyota to sell decontented current Prius alongside new model in Japan
The current generation Prius has been a big hit in the US and Japan, and the tried and true second-gen. model could live on in Japan after the new hybrid goes on sale this spring. According to reports out of Japan, Toyota will sell a de-contented version of the old Prius to better compete with the new Honda Insight on price. The current Prius is rumored to be getting a cheapening on the inside, giving Toyota the ability to price it at ¥2 million mark, or about $22,000 US.
Toyota isn't responding to questions surrounding the rumors, as it says it doesn't comment on future product. We're not sure why questions about the current Prius could be considered "future product," but that's Toyota's story and their sticking to it. Inside Line points out that having two different models called the Prius could be a bit confusing, and we tend to agree. Our web-writing friends are all for a "Prius Classic" designation, while we're rooting for "Prius Lite."
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MemphisNET 8:11AM (1/26/2009)
Cheapening on the interior? Other than some of the electronic toys, its already pretty low-rent in there.
IF, and it's a big if, I was ever to consider a hybrid, I'd take a look at the Insight if only because it will be fun to drive. But projects like Volt, ENVI and other EREV's would be the top of my list. I know ENVI comes off as a pipe dream, but they just seem more realistic to take cars and platforms that are already here. Dodge Circuit is cool, but people are buying CUV's and Minivan's far more than they are buying high-end sports cars. Even if Chrysler does indeed go away, other manufacturers would be smart to look at what they're trying to accomplish.
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Andrew 8:11AM (1/26/2009)
Wait. A Prius with an even cheaper interior?? Ewwww.
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yacoub 8:15AM (1/26/2009)
If you take the content out, why would I want it? The Honda doesn't have content removed. Stupid. Sort of like Audi cutting production so they can maintain their over-priced MSRPs. You won't be selling more cars in a tough economy if you cut production and keep them over-priced.
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geo.stewart 8:19AM (1/26/2009)
more and more like the US mftrs but worse. it all goes in a cycle.
Malibu Classic
F150 Heritage
Chrysler's line up as a rehash of the 70s
At least they Ford and GM didnt cheapen the interiors, just kept the dream alive a while longer.
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yacoub 8:22AM (1/26/2009)
What Toyota is forgetting here is that normal people don't want junk. What will happen in this type of economy where everyone is under pressure, is that they will want the same thing they've always wanted, but since most can't afford it, the price has to come down to a level that most can afford. Yes, for the same content. Prices have to deflate. This means a bit less profit for the manufacturer initially, but they will pass the pressure on to the materials providers, who will be forced to lower the price of the materials, thus returning an equilibrium to the market. It also tends to stimulate materials R&D at the provider level as they look for ways to make more cost-effective materials that offer the same level of refinement for less manufacturing cost, either in raw materials cost or in application/build cost. The end result is good news for the consumer and the economy will start to turn around. We just have to go through the period of time where producers are in denial and initially refuse to correct pricing downward.
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Stu L Tissimus 8:24AM (1/26/2009)
Why not take a page out of your friends at Joystiq and call the old one the Prius Phat?
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Will 8:24AM (1/26/2009)
Almost every Prius I have seen was a taxi. A cheaper interior would be fine for that, not sure if they are used as taxis in Japan though.
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Judy Zik 1:05PM (1/26/2009)
I am thinking it should be called the Postus. Since everyone prounced the previous one Pre-US. It was a good symbol of what Toyota could do Pre US market meltdown. This one is a good example now with all their cost cutting going on what to expect Post US market meltdown from Toyota. I suspect Toyota will be doing a lot of decontenting on all their models. I remember the last time they went through this they went from putting plush velour like materials on their seats to paper thin fabrics on seats and headliners. Times are tough for everyone.
I don't think we will see this car here. North American buyers have never been big on rebadged old models. For the most part they became strictly fleet vehicles.
MemphisNET 8:46AM (1/26/2009)
Holy advertising and questionable material Batman. Avoid this guys link!
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Andrew 8:49AM (1/26/2009)
Thanks for the link in reminding me how ugly the Prius is. That has got to be the ugliest interior I've ever seen. The slab in front of that frumpy steering wheel really does it for me.
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Red 8:54AM (1/26/2009)
Am I missing something? How much does the Prius cost in Yen? Because it already starts at $22,000 in USD. At first it sounds like a deal, but would they be paying more for even less?
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Andrew 9:00AM (1/26/2009)
Ya, I liked the link... I also love how it made my eyes bleed.
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MemphisNET 9:09AM (1/26/2009)
Uh huh. :)
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TW6Speed 9:15AM (1/26/2009)
How can you make a cheap interior cheaper. Toyota has got cought with their pants down by the Honda Insight, and now the only way they feel they can compete is to make the Prius interior cheaper. Are they serious? Meet the new (old) GM.
Be careful what you wish for Toyota; you might just get it (#1) and the press that comes with it. Your the new target.
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schneider 9:36AM (1/26/2009)
Smart idea. Every cab in my city is a Prius, so it makes sense to cheap out on this generation to keep fleet sales strong.
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Rick 10:02AM (1/26/2009)
So the only way Toyota can compete with the Insight is 1) Strip down the current outgoing, outdated, cheap materials and boring version to make an expensive car cheaper but still more expensive than an Insight and 2) Make an all new Prius a little bit cheaper but still way more than an Insight by using even more cheaper materials?
Hmmm, sounds like Honda is biting Toyota in the ass and they aren't sure how to fight it off.
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GrammarMan 10:33AM (1/26/2009)
"....but that's Toyota's story and their sticking to it."
Not "their."
Try "they're."
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waiownsyou 11:08AM (1/26/2009)
I was about to say that.
jv2k 10:35AM (1/26/2009)
Good idea toyota. Cheapen your vehicle.
Brilliant move.
Since there haven't been any denials of Toyota being first I take it that the news is actually true this year. They've been the number one selling brand for what, a month now and they are already deciding to make moronic moves. At least GM waited a few years to start declining.
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Eric77TA 1:13PM (1/26/2009)
Why not call it the Toyota Previous? Or Prius Prior?
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