Canadia/US price comparison + feature question

With the Canadian pricing finally announced, here's a quick price comparison between Canada and US models.

Since it is almost impossible to compare packages, I've only done this for the most basic configuration.

I'm using a 1.12 USD to CAD exchange rate, and my province of reference is BC.

(a) Canadian pricing: $30,535 CAD.

(b) US pricing:

base price in USD: $22750 = $25480 CAD
6.1% duty: $1554 CAD
5% GST: $1274 CAD
7% PST: $1783 CAD
PST rebate: -$1783 CAD
Import fees and misc: ~$500 CAD

Total Canadian cost of importing a Package II from the US: $28,808 CAD.

Price difference (@ 1.12 exchage rate): $1726 CAD.
If exchange rate goes to par, price difference = $4760 CAD.

My 2 cents: at a 1.12 exchange rate, it probably makes more sense to purchase the vehicle in Canada. However, once you cross $3,000 CAD in savings, it makes sense to import the vehicle.

And now my question:

The Canadian "premium" package has this add-on feature:

"Front Passenger Door Handle Touch Sensor Lock/Unlock"
- is this not SKS, which is standard on the US package II ?

Is it the case that the Basic Canadian package has LESS features than the basic US package (throwing this whole price comparison thing way off)?


--- Oren

I have wondered lately; I remember when the Canadian currency was worth considerable less than the US currency, but now it is worth considerably more, so why do things cost more in Canada???

I can understand dealers charging whatever it takes to match up with the economic situation in canada, but the Invoice Price with the money basically going back Japan, it looks like the Canadian cars would be "cheaper" in Canadian dollars than the US dollar.

What am I missing?

Well, right on time posted on this forum the Toyota Canada site as of today lists the 2010 as the "current" Prius. Up to today when you clicked on the Prius it gave you info. on the 2009. Got to go to my local dealer and see if they have one to look at.

Anyway, you can now get pricing and package details right from "the horses mouth".

You have the current exchange rate backwards. Canadian dollars are still worth less than US dollars.

When oil prices were sky high last year, the two were very close to par, with the Canadian dollar worth slightly more than US several times.

Got it - thanks for clarifying. I'm still used to SKS = front doors + hatch.

All in all, an interesting feature mix...

Looks like you can get ATP /w solar panels in Canada, but not in US (though what one does with solar panels in Vancouver is beyond me).