Generation 3 Prius pricing in Australia

Pricing for the Gen III Prius in Australia has just been released....
Base model.........A$39,900

Base model + Option pack
(Nav + IPA)........A$44,900

I-tech................A$53,500

All prices are plus dealer delivery and registration etc; add A$400 for metallic paint.

OUCH!!

what was teh gen2 pricing?

Generation II pricing....
Base model.......A$37,400 plus on-road costs
I-tech...............A$47,900 plus on-road costs

Bugger me !
Thats close to 60k on road for a I-tech
So much for that solar roof on a hot summers day. It would be cheaper to hire someone to watch your car so you could leave the windows down.
You have to wonder what Toyota was thinking. How many Aussie buyers would prefer IPA over solar with our climate ?
I assume the I tech is a version 4 with the solar roof ?

I certainly would have preferred the solar roof to any nav and IPA package, and there is no way I can aford the i-Tech. Looks like I will stay with my Gen II for a few years more.

I am sure the Camry will be cheaper - but it will have less tech features.

BTW, the Aust i-tech does NOT have:
(i) Lane Keep Assist (only dynamic radar cruise control);
(ii) the homelink features on the dimming mirror;
(iii) a spare tyre (instead a device to pump up the flat with fluid)
(iv) and possibly does not have Voice Activation except for bluetooth functions

BUT IT DOES HAVE:
(i) fancy parallel lines on the reverse camera to show where you are backing up to;
(ii) HUD which displays speed, how frugal you are driving and nav directions;
(iii) blinkers on side mirrors.

Any comments on these trade-offs?

Wow! Converted to US dollars, those prices are terrible. How much of it is due to import tariffs? Do you have to pay a sales tax on top of that? Are there some other government fees in there?

For example, from what I recall, cars in Singapore are INSANELY expensive compared to the US due to a "certificate of entitlement" that you have to pay.

What's this pricing like as a multiple of the cheapest Corolla? I know Patsparks likes that unit.

If Honda hasn't announced Insight pricing yet, this gives them a lot of opportunity to undercut. (I think)

This puts the Australian base, no options Prius at about 2 Base model Corollas!!!

I'm currently on hotel internet on my little Eee note book so I'll provide a better conversion and comparison with other locations when I get home.

I hope I am impressed tomorrow.