Pricing Coming Tomorrow? 2010 Base Price Slashed BELOW 2009 Base Price!

[fuzzy1]

Originally Posted by Lafferty

... Does anyone know why they are planning on releasing the base Prius later in the summer?

It appears that it is intended to compete as strongly as possible against the Insight-II. If so, it is late because of the inherent delays caused by waiting for more detailed information about how Honda configured and/or priced the Insight.

[Rybold]

Originally Posted by Danny

A new story entry has been added:
Pricing Coming Tomorrow? 2010 Base Price Slashed BELOW 2009 Base Price!
According to sources giving information to Bloomberg, Toyota is poised to announce 2010 Prius pricing TOMORROW, April 21st. This is a day early from most PriusChat forum member guesses, but I don't think anyone will mind. Here's the real juicy piece of news: Toyota plans to cut the base price of the 2010 Prius by $1,000 down to $21,000 compared to the 2009 Base MSRP of $22k. Read the Full Story

You ruined it ! Everyone thought it was going to be on Earth Day. Toyota was going to surprise everyone by releasing a day early. Now that you have removed the element of surprise, Toyota will now spin a wheel and obtain a randomly selected date in MAY to retain the element of surprise.

...or maybe they'll just announce it on Earth Day because the general public has no idea that there's even a new Prius coming. In doing so, the public will associate the new Prius with Earth Day and the environment. Toyota marketers understand the importance of that.

[EZW1]

Originally Posted by Lafferty

That makes sense. I guess my only worry is that gas prices will skyrocket again by the time the base model is for sale.

Thanks.

Yes, this is a classic marketing strategy. By cutting the price they open the door of interest and get people to come look at it and start buying it. Then when Toyota estimates interest to be ramping up, they will offer models with a higher price.

I truely believe this move has nothing to do with the drop in sales of the 2009 model - it is purely a marketing move to get public interest in the new design ramping up.

[fredthepostman]

Originally Posted by EZW1

Yes, this is a classic marketing strategy. By cutting the price they open the door of interest and get people to come look at it and start buying it. Then when Toyota estimates interest to be ramping up, they will offer models with a higher price.

I truely believe this move has nothing to do with the drop in sales of the 2009 model - it is purely a marketing move to get public interest in the new design ramping up.

A lot of what you say makes a lot of sense but the primary reason is they have to compete with the Insight. If people perceive that Honda has something thats equal but cheaper, than Toyota will lose a lot of ground. Remember, not everyone is aware of all of the differences between the two cars.

[patsparks]

Fact is, if you intend to trade a Prius for a Prius, a drop in the retail price of a new Prius will wipe a similar amount off the value of your trade in. If you're not trading your current Prius for a new one you lose too, you lose the drop in value of your current car and don't benefit from the reduction in price of the 2010 Prius.

If the price of a package II 2009 drops to $18,000 then how will you go trying to sell your 2007 or 2008 for more than the price of a new Prius?

[fredthepostman]

Originally Posted by patsparks

Fact is, if you intend to trade a Prius for a Prius, a drop in the retail price of a new Prius will wipe a similar amount off the value of your trade in. If you're not trading your current Prius for a new one you lose too, you lose the drop in value of your current car and don't benefit from the reduction in price of the 2010 Prius.

If the price of a package II 2009 drops to $18,000 then how will you go trying to sell your 2007 or 2008 for more than the price of a new Prius?

Hi Pat, Do you think the drop in the 2009 or 2010 will affect the trade-in price of a 2004 equally? I don't know what the current value of a 2004 is but I wouldn't think it would drop an equal amount. My guess is the price of gas is more important in the trade-in value. I do think this price drop benefits non Prius owners more.

[Prius Team]

It's coming. Not long now.

I recommend you check back every minute or so today. But don't waste too much time - shouldn't you be working?

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

[fredthepostman]

Originally Posted by Prius Team

It's coming. Not long now.

I recommend you check back every minute or so today. But don't waste too much time - shouldn't you be working?

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

This is starting to feel like work!!! Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Anyway ,thanks for playing along.

[rcsting]

Originally Posted by Prius Team

It's coming. Not long now.

I recommend you check back every minute or so today. But don't waste too much time - shouldn't you be working?

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

This will be like March Madness. Productivity in the workplace be zero today

[bestmapman]

Originally Posted by Prius Team

It's coming. Not long now.

I recommend you check back every minute or so today. But don't waste too much time - shouldn't you be working?

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Where will it be posted, so we know where to look.