US Sales of Hybrids Up 30% in October

[tripp]

Hybrid sales continue to do well. The Prius in particular is doing well. Hybrid sales accounted for nearly 2% of the LDV sales in October (1.98%)

Obligatory Shiny Graphic

Reported sales of hybrids in the US climbed 30% from the results of October 2006 to an aggregate 24,443 units in October 2007. The reported figures do not include hybrid sales results from GM. Overall light duty vehicle sales in the US rose 1.2% in October 2007 to 1,231,575 units, according to figures from Autodata.[/b]

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[Godiva]

We're going to see a nice spike as we progress to the end of the year.

That $100 barrel (okay. $96) is eventually going to make it's way to the pump. And that is going to spur sales like no one's business.

$4.00+ gallon is going to create long waiting lists for the Prius again. That's fine. That just means the aftermarket value of a used Prius will also go up with the demand. I'm fine with that.

When gas hits $5.00 a gallon, I may see what the current Prius model has to offer and trade up. If my HOV stickers are still good (until Jan. 2011) I can ask a premium for my used Prius. I don't really *need* the stickers. And a plug-in option might entice me to sell my 2005 with stickers for a new, improved Prius. What do you think? 2009? 2010?

Smug? They haven't seen smug yet.

[samiam]

Yes Petrol prices are going up, but not as fast as the US$ is going down.
Doesn't that mean that your Prius prices will rise and have a limiting effect on new purchases?

Upon reflection, probably not. US Prius prices seem to be fixed by competition with US domestic manufacturing (and other strange commercial/political formulae). That may be why Prius prices in the rest of the world are comparatively higher than just a currency conversion would suggest. In effect we are subsidising low Prius prices in the US.

You can send us your thanks in cash, cheques, or Levis --

[tripp]

Europe taxes the hell out of vehicle purchases. That's why cars are so bloody expensive there. Don't know about Oz and NZ, but I suspect that you pay more for autos because of taxes. I'll sell ya Levis, if that's what ya need.

[dipper]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(samiam @ Nov 4 2007, 07:04 PM) [snapback]534784[/snapback]</div>

Yes Petrol prices are going up, but not as fast as the US$ is going down.
Doesn't that mean that your Prius prices will rise and have a limiting effect on new purchases?

Upon reflection, probably not. US Prius prices seem to be fixed by competition with US domestic manufacturing (and other strange commercial/political formulae). That may be why Prius prices in the rest of the world are comparatively higher than just a currency conversion would suggest. In effect we are subsidising low Prius prices in the US.

You can send us your thanks in cash, cheques, or Levis --
[/b]

You hit the nail, just not the reason behind it...

The truth is, the Japanese Yen is matching US Dollar, not by accident. It is a well know fact that the Japanese are willing to match dollar/Yen exchange rate so that their good to US do not get expensive.

[Godiva]

Everyone knows it's cheaper to buy in bulk.

Doesn't the U.S. sell more Prii than all other countries combined?

[samiam]

Its not taxes -- (we bought into the pointy-headed free market theories in the 80s, big-time, at great national cost).

But I suspect Godiva & dipper are probably closer than I was to the why of it. The importance of the US market means that your prices are kept lower, while the rest of us (even Canada) pay closer to actual cost. I have never seen a Prius ad here in NZ, probably another indication of how important the NZ hybrid market is to Toyota.

[lefat1]

dont bet on it. recession is in the rear view mirror and if you cant pay your mortgage, as evidenced by the tremendous amount of foreclosures, you cant be buying cars...

[patsparks]

Duty on imported cars here is 10% and the GST a further 10% which applies to all new and dealer used car sales. That's all the tax there is in the price of $37400AU ($34,316.32 USD) for a base model Prius and $46900AU ($43,033.38 USD) for the iTech top of the line, then stamp duty and registration and dealer delivery is on top of that. That's $8600 in tax and duty on the iTech making the tax free price $34400USD! We seem to be subsidising the US and we have RHD just like Japan.

[malorn]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Nov 4 2007, 10:23 PM) [snapback]534789[/snapback]</div>

You hit the nail, just not the reason behind it...

The truth is, the Japanese Yen is matching US Dollar, not by accident. It is a well know fact that the Japanese are willing to match dollar/Yen exchange rate so that their good to US do not get expensive.
[/b]

Sounds like free trade to me.