Toyota to offer cheaper Prius to compete with Honda Insight
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Mar 13th 2009 at 2:32PM 
2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for a high-res gallery
According to the ever-flowing and always active rumormill, Toyota may be working on a new low-cost hybrid to do battle with the revived Honda Insight, which is a bit smaller than its rival from Toyota and undercuts its price by a few thousand dollars (or a few million yen). Likely due in no small part to its low point of entry, Honda managed to move 18,000 Insight hybrids in Japan in its first month on sale, which is well above the automaker's early projections.
The new hybrid from Toyota would use similar hybrid components as the Prius but would use a smaller engine and cost 20-30% less. Even if these rumors are true, Toyota still plans to continue selling its previous-generation Prius in Japan for at least the 2010 model year alongside the new model, which features better performance from an enlarged 1.8-liter engine while still managing to reduce fuel consumption. So far, there's no indication that Toyota will sell a lower-cost hybrid model in the U.S.
Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
gotsmart 2:39PM (3/13/2009)
I thought it was announced months ago that they'd be keeping the current-generation Prius around for a little while as the "Prius Classic" or something like that, selling it at a lower price point than the new model.
Reply
gotsmart 2:40PM (3/13/2009)
... or i could just read the whole post. ;)
jota 2:43PM (3/13/2009)
UGLY car...
Reply
Farris 2:45PM (3/13/2009)
How about a Prius Coupe? That would be kinda cool.
Reply
fixitfixitstop 2:06PM (3/14/2009)
It wouldn't sell.
Big Rocket 2:47PM (3/13/2009)
If the trends shown in Japan are valid for the American market, and hybrid car buyers turn out to be cost-conscious, that does not bode well for the Chevrolet Volt and its high price.
Reply
Yikes 2:55PM (3/13/2009)
I can't understand spending double the cost of the Insight for a Volt. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of buying an "economy" car?
refugee7 3:02PM (3/13/2009)
~ Yikes.
Some people just want to be seen as green more than to be environmentally friendly.
Gary 4:16PM (3/13/2009)
There are two Tahoe Hybrids sitting on the local car lot for a few months now, and I happened to recently see a Cadillac Escalade hybrid parked to the side with a Sold sign on it. I never saw it before. It seems that some people are willing to pay a premium to show off to the world how green they are.
Enigmatic 6:57PM (3/13/2009)
Just the idea of not having to use any gas would be appealing to many people, but I agree, I can't imagine the Volt selling very much at that price point (though I hope I'm proven wrong). I really hope GM releases some iteration of that Converj concept, because the "rich and environmental" look is probably an appealing one for many people.
don 2:49PM (3/13/2009)
"Toyota to offer cheaper Prius to compete with Honda Insight"
I've sat in a Prius. There isn't any way they could make these turds cheaper.
Reply
XJ 2:59PM (3/13/2009)
I know what you're getting at, but it looks like the main component for cost cutting will be a smaller engine. I've never driven a Prius but have ridden in one and the pickup isn't that bad. I could see them bringing a smaller Prius to the states.
SenatorPerry 3:11PM (3/13/2009)
Pull out the display in the center. Replace the center stack with a knob controlled radio and a/c unit. Eliminate the "B" mode on the transmission. Smaller battery pack.... There are a lot of things that could reduce the price.
Unfortunately I rarely see the package 1 configuration anymore.
JM 8:34AM (3/20/2009)
@don
I don't know... even though I don't own one, I've sat in one several times myself and its not that bad at all. The people I know who owns a Prius seem to be happy with it. It's probably Detroit 2.5 trolls and those who works in their car dealers, or are UAW workers that hates it. You don't happen to belong to any of these categories do you? Sure you don't! Yeah, right.
Matt 10:40PM (3/13/2009)
Gold!! lmao
+100
don 9:56AM (3/14/2009)
"It's probably Detroit 2.5 trolls and those who works in their car dealers, or are UAW workers that hates it. You don't happen to belong to any of these categories do you? Sure you don't! Yeah, right."
JM,
If you would like to pick a fight with me, just say so. I'm game. And listen up punk, I'm an independent (read: non-union) mason, home on a rainy day. So you can pretty much bite my ass, pencil neck.
Dustin 2:58PM (3/13/2009)
It takes a heck of a long time to create an entirely new car, so this won't be real news for a couple of years yet anyhow, right?
Reply
MP 3:02PM (3/13/2009)
Maybe it wont have to cover up any recalls to do it too.
Reply
Aki 3:03PM (3/13/2009)
Dustin: not if they use existing parts from their parts bin.
This to me is a sign that the Volt won't do well. Yes, presumably you'll save lots of money with the Volt by not having to fill up gas at all (provided your daily commute is under the 40-mile range), but I think buyers won't look that far, and will look to cheaper alternatives like Honda.
Reply
nardvark 3:11PM (3/13/2009)
It will be a green halo car, nothing else. It's something they can trot out every time Congress chides them for failing to make cars that no one wants to buy.