Toyota Begins Prius Hybrid Assembly in China

Kiloran · 12-15-2005, 03:40 PM

ScottY · 12-15-2005, 04:11 PM

I think a similar article was posted a while ago.

But 288,000 yuan to 302,000 yuan ($35,680-$37,410) for a Chinese-built Prius?!!

I don't think that many Chinese ppl can afford that unless the Chinese government's willing to help out.

tripp · 12-15-2005, 04:28 PM

No doubt. I was shocked by that price. A cousin of mine lives in Chengdu (an industrial city a bit bigger than Chicago) and $300/mo for rent is pricey. $35K for a car seems completely out of the question. Maybe that's why they're only making 3000/yr.

xbdude · 12-15-2005, 05:33 PM

"Toyota and FAW, Japan's and China's top auto makers, had agreed in 2004 to assemble the Prius in Changchun by the end of this year with complete knock-down kits imported from Japan."

Does anyone know what is meant by complete knock-down kits??

**tag** · 12-15-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xbdude@Dec 15 2005, 05:33 PM
Does anyone know what is meant by complee knock-down kits??

I guess Wikipedia is your friend here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CKD

**Tideland Prius** · 12-15-2005, 06:18 PM

So basically, ship the car with the shell ready and install the mechanical bits in China using chinese labour?

Good, that means it'll stay in China.

ceric · 12-15-2005, 06:49 PM

While I doubt Prius at US$35K will sell well in China, don't estimate Chinese people' buying power. RollsRoyce sold 50 units right AT the autoshow!!! 50! The problem with China is some are extremly wealthy, others are very poor. (yes, Chengdu is considered as a poor city) In Shanghai and Beijing, rich people are every where (businessmen, corrupted officials, foreign investors, etc.). You will be shook if you have not been to China for the past 5 years. Shanghai has far more skyscrapters than any city in US that I know of. Yet, the country rural area is no different from 30 years ago...

The reason I think Prius will not sell well is because rich people in Asia don't care about fuel econemy. People in US are so used to inexpensive automobile. A Toyota Camry can easily cost 2X ($40K) than US in most Asian countries, yet people buy them by cash. Vehicles, like houses, are status symbols in Asia. Performance is less important, but luxury is.

flareak · 12-16-2005, 07:19 AM

as long as the prius i buy is not made in china, i will be happy.

altaskier · 12-16-2005, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ceric@Dec 15 2005, 06:49 PM
While I doubt Prius at US$35K will sell well in China, don't (under)estimate Chinese people' buying power.

[snapback]174125[/snapback]

I agree. On my most recent trip to Beijing (last month), I noticed an awful lot of shiny new Audis, often sharing traffic with delivery guys transporting computer printers on battered old three-wheel bikes (there's modern China in a nutshell). People who can afford shiny new Audis can also afford Prii, though they are also less likely to worry about how much they spend on gas.

habel · 12-20-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by altaskier@Dec 16 2005, 02:25 PM
I agree. On my most recent trip to Beijing (last month), I noticed an awful lot of shiny new Audis, often sharing traffic with delivery guys transporting computer printers on battered old three-wheel bikes (there's modern China in a nutshell). People who can afford shiny new Audis can also afford Prii, though they are also less likely to worry about how much they spend on gas.

[snapback]174313[/snapback]

Choosing a Prius doesn't have to be about gas savings or pollution for that matter at all.

Some choose it for the technology itself, the avantgarde design or other things.

12-15-2005, 06:49 PM	#7
ceric Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 1,094 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 49 Times in 21 Posts Friends: 0	While I doubt Prius at US$35K will sell well in China, don't estimate Chinese people' buying power. RollsRoyce sold 50 units right AT the autoshow!!! 50! The problem with China is some are extremly wealthy, others are very poor. (yes, Chengdu is considered as a poor city) In Shanghai and Beijing, rich people are every where (businessmen, corrupted officials, foreign investors, etc.). You will be shook if you have not been to China for the past 5 years. Shanghai has far more skyscrapters than any city in US that I know of. Yet, the country rural area is no different from 30 years ago... The reason I think Prius will not sell well is because rich people in Asia don't care about fuel econemy. People in US are so used to inexpensive automobile. A Toyota Camry can easily cost 2X ($40K) than US in most Asian countries, yet people buy them by cash. Vehicles, like houses, are status symbols in Asia. Performance is less important, but luxury is. __________________ 2005' Tideland Prius (Dec, 2004) Mods Done: body-side moldings, wood dash kit, rear bumper applique, ultrasound backup sensors, backup camera, signal mirrors, BT stiffening plate, 205/60R15 tires, leather-trim interior, all-weather mats, shark-fin antenna

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12-15-2005, 03:40 PM	#1
Kiloran Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,225 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Toyota Begins Prius Hybrid Assembly in China

12-15-2005, 04:11 PM	#2
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,249 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 1	I think a similar article was posted a while ago. But 288,000 yuan to 302,000 yuan ($35,680-$37,410) for a Chinese-built Prius?!! I don't think that many Chinese ppl can afford that unless the Chinese government's willing to help out.

12-15-2005, 04:28 PM	#3
tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 4,347 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 6	No doubt. I was shocked by that price. A cousin of mine lives in Chengdu (an industrial city a bit bigger than Chicago) and $300/mo for rent is pricey. $35K for a car seems completely out of the question. Maybe that's why they're only making 3000/yr.

12-15-2005, 05:33 PM	#4
xbdude opticat Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 153 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	"Toyota and FAW, Japan's and China's top auto makers, had agreed in 2004 to assemble the Prius in Changchun by the end of this year with complete knock-down kits imported from Japan." Does anyone know what is meant by complete knock-down kits??

12-15-2005, 06:18 PM	#6
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,204 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 370 Thanked 529 Times in 356 Posts Friends: 26	So basically, ship the car with the shell ready and install the mechanical bits in China using chinese labour? Good, that means it'll stay in China.

12-16-2005, 07:19 AM	#8
flareak I've sold more than 4 Prius! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Flint, MI Posts: 758 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	as long as the prius i buy is not made in china, i will be happy.