Good news for Canadian's - Can Import 2010 Prius to Canada

I just noticed that the 2010 Prius has been added to Transport Canada's list of admissible vehicles - see http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/SafeVehicles/Importation/Usa/VAFUS/list/TOYOTA_LEXUS.htm.

This means that you should now be able to import a Gen III to Canada, taking advantage of a favorable exchange rate and lower MSRP.

I'll post a complete cost analysis once Toyota Canada has the 2010 priced on its website (currently only showing 2009 pricing).

--- Oren

One feature the salesman pointed out to me during my test drive, which should be very useful for Canadians doing an import from the US, is that there's a button on the dash to switch all the displays from miles to kilometers.

I don't think there is anyway the 2010 Pruis price here in Canada will be able to compete with the US MSRP. It's just a matter of how much the savings will be. But not being able to get financing through Toyota or being able to lease will keep most away, not to mention the hassel of importing a car.

This is true for the Prius II as well - there's a button that switches the speedometer from mph to kph. all else (temp, distance, etc.) does not change.

BUT that simple switch for the speedometer is enough to get the vehicle registered in Canada.

I bought my '07 Prius in the US, and imported it to Canada. You can read all about it on my blog. It's NO HASSLE - the biggest (and only) hassle was to find a dealer in the US willing to deal with Canadians. Given current economy, I assume more and more dealers will be willing to do so.

See Prius The Mobile Net – From Useless to Useful for more information on the process itself (start from the bottom-up). It's really easy, and cost effective.

It's even MORE cost effective these days, since you no longer get the federal $2,000 rebate on the Prius (which was only extended to Canadian vehicles).

I saved about $10,000 CDN in the process AND got the exact options I wanted (which were not available in Canada).

I'm waiting for Toyota.ca pricing for the 2010 - if (again) there will be a 10k price difference, I may go for it again (esp. if the exchange rate nears par).

--- Oren

I guess I'll check the pricing... it would be nice to get the IV with Solar & Leather instead of also having to include the ATP for the "D" package in Canada. Could be a $3K+ difference if they don't price at a good exchange rate.

Nice to see the addition relatively quickly. I had checked about a week ago and it was still not on the list at the time.

Toyota dealers in the US are still not selling new vehicles to Canadians, right?

I've no idea re dealers - haven't had any contact since I bought my '07. But I'm assuming they're more desperate/greedy than ever before...
Let's see what the Canadian price will be...