Prius I, and Other News

[Prius Team]

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.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

[efusco]

odd, no EV mode? That's a pretty much zero cost thing (and certainly a hack that will occur almost immediately)...I assume that's to encourage people to shell out extra for the 'feature'?

[anniea]

Originally Posted by Prius Team

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.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Wow. While some of these items might be considered "luxuries," a few seem pretty essential to me. In particular, I find that whenever it rains hard, I have to use the rear wiper, because that window is nearly horizontal and seems to hold onto the water, making it hard to see through. I'm surprised that cruise control would be absent. While not essential, I think rear cup holders would be pretty usual. Finally, I like the rear folding headrests because they improve the visibility a little.

[priora]

Originally Posted by Prius Team

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.

Why will there be a $400 increase?

[archermoo]

Originally Posted by priora

Why will there be a $400 increase?

At a guess I'd say because the demand is high enough that they feel they can charge an extra $400 without reducing demand below supply. But that's just a guess...

[regentofthesun]

Originally Posted by Prius Team

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.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Hey Prius Team!
I have attempted twice to send a question via mail without luck. Is there a better way to forward the question over without posting to the open forum?
Thanks,
Tom

[wvgasguy]

Originally Posted by anniea

Wow. While some of these items might be considered "luxuries," a few seem pretty essential to me. In particular, I find that whenever it rains hard, I have to use the rear wiper, because that window is nearly horizontal and seems to hold onto the water, making it hard to see through. I'm surprised that cruise control would be absent. While not essential, I think rear cup holders would be pretty usual. Finally, I like the rear folding headrests because they improve the visibility a little.

As he said, the initial offering is for fleet usage. I guess Toyota assumes that most fleets want a stripped vehicle. I'm guessing at $21K most consumers would still opt for the II with more features. Perhaps not.

[wvgasguy]

So with a $400 increase in MSRP and more tacked on for safety Connect and the USB, loaded V's will cost close to $1K more. Glad I got mine early.

[usbseawolf2000]

It is great to see Toyota is keeping the alloy wheels.

[Jayhawker]

I also think this is Toyotas way of competing with the Insight.