Prius I Only Going To Fleets, II-V Getting $400 Price Increase - Insight No Longer A Threat?

The good folks with the Prius Team have shared some details in the PriusChat forums about the Prius I and a "price adjustment" on the Prius II-V models. The Prius I is the "base" model Prius that was announced to compete with the Honda Insight on price, while still offering the MPG and size of the Prius. Between January to May, Toyota probably was pretty worried about the Insight cramping the Prius' sales figures. So they came up with the idea of the Prius I, a "stripped, not equipped" version of the car. Well, flash forward 4 months and the Insight has not put any dent in Prius sales and Toyota is having problems meeting demand for their new generation dynamo car.

A couple of days ago, Toyota's Prius Team got onto PriusChat and announced that the Prius I would only be available to fleet customers "for the time being". They also announced a $400 "price adjustment" (read: increase) on the Prius II-V models.

Here is the skinny from the Prius Team, as posted in this thread:

Hi folks, got two pieces of news for you.

First off, Prius I is coming soon. Now, don't get your hopes up, because we're going to offer it only to fleets for the time being, but I did want to let you in on the specs. It will essentially come equipped as a Prius II, less the following:

• Cruise Control
• Touch Tracer display
• Smart Key
• EV mode
• Rear wiper
• Rear tonneau cover
• Heated side mirrors
• Satellite radio antenna and satellite capable radio
• Rear armrest with two cup holders
• Two rear-door speakers
• Rear heater duct
• Passenger-seatback pocket
• Foldable rear headrests
• Underbody spoilers and spats

Prius I will also only come in Dark Grey interior. The MSRP is $21,000, as previously announced.

Second piece of news: Prius II-V model base MSRP will be adjusted to reflect an increase of $400, which will take effect with US port arrivals on October 18, 2009.