Insight Sales Down 25% Since 2010 Prius Release

[fred garvin]

i surmise that the insight is suffering because it is too similar to the prius in shape - when given a choice of two versions of essentially one shape, people see the value and the mpgs and buy the prius in higher #s.

if the insight were more differentiated it would likely do better

[equake]

Originally Posted by fred garvin

i surmise that the insight is suffering because it is too similar to the prius in shape - when given a choice of two versions of essentially one shape, people see the value and the mpgs and buy the prius in higher #s.

if the insight were more differentiated it would likely do better

I believe its also Toyotas Gen III pricing that literally killed the Insights competitiveness. Prior to the price release all analysts predicted that the Gen III would be priced above the previous Gen but most agree that the current pricing is more than a bargain given the new techs. If the rumored profit margins expressed on the blogs prove to be correct Toyota would have pulled off a major coup by the use of their R&D and engineering prowess.

This is like Intel vs. AMD: don't wake the giant. Had Toyota not innovate past Gen 2, the Insight would eat Toyotas' lunch. With Gen3 Toyota leapfrogged the Insight with one swift move.

With that said who needs the government to come to save their butts. The winners including Ford are all those that don't go to the Feds to beg for money.

My 1.5 cents (I have to more now for an LA county tax increase).

[Rokeby]

Originally Posted by The Electric Me

Reviews for the Insight have been all over the place. Unfortunately
a bad review from a major outlet can do more damage than 3 good
reviews from less respected or known outlets. People forget nice,
they remember bad. However, yes there have been some good
reviews for the Insight.

[Emphasis added.]

This is sometimes rather crudely stated:

One "Oh, Sh|t!" wipes out a thousand "Atta' Boys!"

IIRC, in sales, it is also axiomatic that a customer with a bad
experience will tell seven people, whereas a good experience results
in but a single positive referral.

Human nature would seem to have a decidedly negative bias-- or
perhaps merely conservative, resistant to change. Must be a species
survival strategy...

If it looks to good to be true, -- many good reviews -- than it isn't --
the single bad review.

A classic case of "herd think." Baaa.

[rld14]

It's funny, I'm not aware of any sales that we've lost to the Insight where I work. Granted I don't talk to an awful lot of new car customers (I am the Used Car Manager but I do end up getting involved in a lot of new car deals) but the consensus that I have observed is that people really like the Prius a LOT better than the insight, heck, we had people cross-shopping 09 Priuses against insights and we didn't lose a deal to the insight then.

Neither of these cars are "cheap" for what they are IMNSHO. The Prius costs as much as a comparably equipped Camry and it's Corolla-Sized, the Insight is even smaller and still $20k+. I think where Honda screwed up is that they didn't tstop and think that people buy Hybrids largely because of their advanced technology and "cool factor" and making an inferior product that's at best 10% cheaper isn't perhaps the slickest move in the universe.

[cycledrum]

I saw a 2010 Prius in the Bally's gym parking lot today .... next to a Gen2 and 3 over from another Gen2. Mine was parked out a little further as always.

I've seen more 2010 Pri's in the last week (5 of them) than I've seen 2010 Insights since March.

I just don't think Honda has the winning platform in the Insight for the majority of Americans.

Not saying that just because I bought a Prius .... I don't believe the Insight is a winner because of its small size in backseats and tepid power (98 HP total).

[Rybold]

I'm surprised. I thought there was more demand than supply for both cars.
In my area, I have seen about six or seven Insights on the road and only two 2010 Priuses on the road. Hey, "actual" sales numbers tell the real story. I just would have never believed it based on what I see on the road and dealer lots (in my area, of course).

[gdog]

It's down cause it's an inferior car that's priced too closely to the 2010 Prius. What the insight needs most is either more hp and mpg or a $3000 markdown.

[cwerdna]

Originally Posted by gdog

It's down cause it's an inferior car that's priced too closely to the 2010 Prius. What the insight needs most is either more hp and mpg or a $3000 markdown.

What's annoying and almost comical is the Honda fanboy at CR rates Insight is the lowest score ever! - GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars asserting that the "Insight EX and Civic Hybrid are better values than the Prius."

[cycledrum]

Originally Posted by cwerdna

What's annoying and almost comical is the Honda fanboy at CR rates Insight is the lowest score ever! - GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars asserting that the "Insight EX and Civic Hybrid are better values than the Prius."

The HCH is not as useful a car as the 2010 Prius. The HCH has a tiny trunk. And by the time a tall driver shoves the front seat back, there is almost nothing left for legroom behind that seat.

The 2010 Pri can accomodate a tall driver while leaving decent legroom behind. To be exact, if you move the 2010 Pri's seat all way back/down, the leftoom behind is a bit tight, but even I, at 6'2" can move up a click or 2 and feel great in the '10.

The Insight? Where to start? Small car with small backseat, light weight, small tires, 36 less HP, ....

but let's not forget ... $2k cheaper, EX with Nav ($23.7k vs. '10 Pri III/ Nav $25.7k) !!

whoopeee

[cycledrum]

Originally Posted by equake

This is like Intel vs. AMD: don't wake the giant. Had Toyota not innovate past Gen 2, the Insight would eat Toyotas' lunch. With Gen3 Toyota leapfrogged the Insight with one swift move.

My Gen2 has better interior room than the '10 Insight, but the Insight has better front seats .... and the '10 Pri has better front seats than the Insight. Good luck Honda.

Also, Honda needs a clue in the 'usefulness' department. For example ...

fold and tumble rear seats in the CR-V? You lose a foot of cargo length and get a non-flat floor with seat hooks.

Anyone seen the retarded rear seat folding in an Element? Rear seat lay flat, then you muscle them up to pin against rear side windows .... does wonders for visibility looking over your right shoulder. Had to conceal a chuckle as salesperson showing that great feature ... not.