Yes, there is a Prius pricing increase coming

[DianneWhitmire]

It's buried in this memo here that was posted online right here at this board.

It was due to happen. They reduced the MSRP pricing on all Prius when they saw Honda's Insight base pricing... that's painfully evident when you see how little profit margin there is on a II and III considering their stickers are 23K to 25K... and now that the Insight's been unmasked for what it is (unworthy of real comparison) the pricing's going to increase because MSRP's are already artificially low to begin with.

That's my opinion, and just what I think... I am not speaking for anyone here but myself.
__________________________________________________ _

Hi folks, got two pieces of news for you.

First off, Prius I is coming soon. Now, don't get your hopes up, because we're going to offer it only to fleets for the time being, but I did want to let you in on the specs. It will essentially come equipped as a Prius II, less the following:

· Cruise Control
· Touch Tracer display
· Smart Key
· EV mode
· Rear wiper
· Rear tonneau cover
· Heated side mirrors
· Satellite radio antenna and satellite capable radio
· Rear armrest with two cup holders
· Two rear-door speakers
· Rear heater duct
· Passenger-seatback pocket
· Foldable rear headrests
· Underbody spoilers and spats

Prius I will also only come in Dark Grey interior. The MSRP is $21,000, as previously announced.

Second piece of news: Prius II-V model base MSRP will be adjusted to reflect an increase of $400, which will take effect with US port arrivals on October 18, 2009.

[georgew]

My best guess is that this will probably be followed by dealers offering larger cash incentives...




Toyota Prepares $1 Billion Marketing Blitz in U.S. (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

[morpheusx]

if it hurts anyone it will be the dealership that charges over MSRP "sticker"

[georgew]

Well..you really have to wonder what Toyota's motivation is since so many Prius' are currently being sold below MSRP as it stands

Also, I wonder if the dealer invoice price for the Prius will also be increasing..

What I am really waiting to see is how the availability of package I will effect the sales and price of package II

Originally Posted by morpheusx

if it hurts anyone it will be the dealership that charges over MSRP "sticker"

[Jabber]

It won't be any comparison between the I and the II. The I is SO de-contented that not many will want it. Do you really want to buy a $20,000 car with cruise control? Or a "hatchback" with no rear wiper?

And I am sure the invoice will be increasing also... I have yet to see toyota add to the window just to increase the dealer's profit margin.

[georgew]

"Toyota dealers at a meeting with Toyota executives in Las Vegas this week were told that the automaker would adjust pricing on new Toyota models by widening dealer margins to give sales representatives more leeway to close deals with car shoppers"

source: http://www.reuters.com/article/lates.../idUSN17231412

Originally Posted by Jabber

And I am sure the invoice will be increasing also... I have yet to see toyota add to the window just to increase the dealer's profit margin.

can't say that anymore.

[Jabber]

This will be the first time in my history with toyota if they did that. My guess is they add 400 to msrp and about 300 to invoice. Time will tell though.

[georgew]

True, everything is speculation at this point. Also, the article states the goal is increase sales units, not necessarily increase revenue by raising price..

Originally Posted by Jabber

This will be the first time in my history with toyota if they did that. My guess is they add 400 to msrp and about 300 to invoice. Time will tell though.

[DianneWhitmire]

Yes, the car's invoice pricing increase nearly the same amount as the price increase amount. Hmmmmm. Wouldn't it be great if WE as dealerships could negotiate with Toyota the same way buyers want to negotiate with us as dealerships?

Originally Posted by georgew

Well..you really have to wonder what Toyota's motivation is since so many Prius' are currently being sold below MSRP as it stands

Also, I wonder if the dealer invoice price for the Prius will also be increasing..

What I am really waiting to see is how the availability of package I will effect the sales and price of package II

[georgew]

How often does the dealer pay the invoice price? Truecar.com states the actual cost to the dealer is lower than the invoice for the base Prius. From the news reports, it comes off to me that Toyota believes this will help sell more units...guess we'll have to wait and see.

Originally Posted by DianneWhitmire

Yes, the car's invoice pricing increase nearly the same amount as the price increase amount. Hmmmmm. Wouldn't it be great if WE as dealerships could negotiate with Toyota the same way buyers want to negotiate with us as dealerships?