New 2008 standard model at lower price

[rodney1]

In the "Los Angeles Times":

Toyota to introduce a lower-priced Prius

"Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday that it would introduce a new "standard" version of its popular gas-electric hybrid for the 2008 model year with a base price of $20,950, not including destination charges.

"That's 5.5%, $1,225, less than the lowest-cost 2007 model, but some equipment that came with that model, such as cruise control and heated rearview mirrors, will be optional on the new standard....

"In addition to adding a third model to the Prius lineup, Toyota said it would raise the base sticker prices of the 2008 mid-size and Touring models by $150, to $22,325 and $23,220, respectively. The new models will be in dealerships in August....

"Prius sales in June jumped 83% from a year earlier and were up 96% during the first half or the year. It remains by far the most popular gasoline-electric hybrid in the U.S. -- 65% of all hybrids sold so far this year were Priuses....

"Toyota is boosting production of U.S.-bound Priuses by almost 50% to an annual rate of 150,000. That's giving buyers more bargaining room, and this spring Toyota began offering discounts of $600 to $2,000 a vehicle on common options packages....

"The new "standard" Prius is not considered a redesign. The current design was introduced in the 2004 model year, and a redesigned version isn't expected in showrooms until the 2009 model year at the earliest."


Full story:
<http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-prius31jul31,1,3534297.story?coll=la-headlines-business>
((Free) registration may be required. If so, and you don't want to register, try bugmenot.com)

[jamarimutt]

The standard edition is not for me, I'm hooked on cruise control. Gives me a chance to rest my right foot.

[Washington1788]

Hopefully this will allow more people to join the Prius party!

[mommydewdrops]

What is the mid size model?
Also, does anyone know anything about colors?
Oh. Maybe I need to check website. I did yesterday but it only still had the 2007 stuff.
thx


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rodney1 @ Jul 31 2007, 08:41 AM) [snapback]488052[/snapback]</div>

In the "Los Angeles Times":

Toyota to introduce a lower-priced Prius

"Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday that it would introduce a new "standard" version of its popular gas-electric hybrid for the 2008 model year with a base price of $20,950, not including destination charges.

"That's 5.5%, $1,225, less than the lowest-cost 2007 model, but some equipment that came with that model, such as cruise control and heated rearview mirrors, will be optional on the new standard....

"In addition to adding a third model to the Prius lineup, Toyota said it would raise the base sticker prices of the 2008 mid-size and Touring models by $150, to $22,325 and $23,220, respectively. The new models will be in dealerships in August....

"Prius sales in June jumped 83% from a year earlier and were up 96% during the first half or the year. It remains by far the most popular gasoline-electric hybrid in the U.S. -- 65% of all hybrids sold so far this year were Priuses....

"Toyota is boosting production of U.S.-bound Priuses by almost 50% to an annual rate of 150,000. That's giving buyers more bargaining room, and this spring Toyota began offering discounts of $600 to $2,000 a vehicle on common options packages....

"The new "standard" Prius is not considered a redesign. The current design was introduced in the 2004 model year, and a redesigned version isn't expected in showrooms until the 2009 model year at the earliest."
Full story:
<http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-prius31jul31,1,3534297.story?coll=la-headlines-business>
((Free) registration may be required. If so, and you don't want to register, try bugmenot.com)
[/b]

[DelerPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mommydewdrops @ Jul 31 2007, 12:40 PM) [snapback]488111[/snapback]</div>

What is the mid size model?
Also, does anyone know anything about colors?
Oh. Maybe I need to check website. I did yesterday but it only still had the 2007 stuff.
thx
[/b]

Maybe they meant "mid-priced" as in between the new low priced model, and the Touring, which will apparently will continue to be available in 2008.

Toyota announced something similar for the '08 Camry Hybrid--a price cut of $1000 but deleting or substituting some equipment that was standard on the '07: alloy wheels, JBL stereo, leather covered steering wheel

[WA98296]

We bought yesterday, so we were expecting this announcement today!

[freke70]

here's the direct from toyota email to my dealership on the thing:

2008MY Prius

Since its 2004 launch, Prius leads the way in hybrid technology and provides an unbelievable level of features, performance, and value. The 2008MY Prius MSRP starts at $20,950 for the new standard grade and $23,220 for the Touring model, an increase of $150.

For the 2008MY, the newly introduced standard grade removes the following equipment from the previous Prius: cruise control, tonneau cover, heated rearview mirrors, wheel trim ring, and seatback pockets. This removed equipment from the new standard grade is available in factory option packages.


It's good news, though. Cheaper cars are always nice for the customer.

[mommydewdrops]

Can you ask Toyota about the colors? I'm so curious what colors will be available for 08? Can't just be same old same old.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(freke70 @ Jul 31 2007, 12:06 PM) [snapback]488219[/snapback]</div>

here's the direct from toyota email to my dealership on the thing:

2008MY Prius

Since its 2004 launch, Prius leads the way in hybrid technology and provides an unbelievable level of features, performance, and value. The 2008MY Prius MSRP starts at $20,950 for the new standard grade and $23,220 for the Touring model, an increase of $150.

For the 2008MY, the newly introduced standard grade removes the following equipment from the previous Prius: cruise control, tonneau cover, heated rearview mirrors, wheel trim ring, and seatback pockets. This removed equipment from the new standard grade is available in factory option packages.
It's good news, though. Cheaper cars are always nice for the customer.
[/b]

[ranmandx]

What's the pricing on the various packages? I just bought my 2007 package 6 for 27,000

[jamarimutt]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(freke70 @ Jul 31 2007, 03:06 PM) [snapback]488219[/snapback]</div>

For the 2008MY, the newly introduced standard grade removes the following equipment from the previous Prius: cruise control, tonneau cover, heated rearview mirrors, wheel trim ring, and seatback pockets. This removed equipment from the new standard grade is available in factory option packages.
It's good news, though. Cheaper cars are always nice for the customer.
[/b]

I don't care about the seatback pockets and the heated rear view mirrors, but cruise control is useful during long drives and the tonneau cover is useful to hide, say, a new computer you just bought. The elimination of the wheel trim rings settles an old argument: whether they somehow improve gas mileage. Apparently they don't, they're for decoration or protection of the wheels against curb scratches.