What will happen with all the 2009s?

If the 2010 is priced aggressively to compete with the Insight - say around $22-23k - what's going to happen with all the 2009s that are languishing on lots across the country? I'll bet there's 50,000 or more unsold 2009s (there are 15k on Autotrader alone) which are already as low as 21300. I'm guessing they'll clearance them for 19500 or so, especially if base 2010s are going for 22k.

What do you think?

I think I hope your right

Can you say "Rebate"

1. I don't believe there are that many sitting around. How often are internet postings updated?

2. Toyota may very well price the Prius I to match the Insight II but how plentiful will they be? Historically it has been harder to find a base Prius than a fully loaded one.

3. If there is a glut of 2009 inventory Toyota would probably just slow 2010 production & delivery.

In 2 words - massive discounts. No dealer will want 2009's on the forecourt when he can have shiny new 2010's sitting there. The fact is that the value of all Gen 2 Prius will drop overnight when the 2010's start arriving in dealers and on the roads. There will be some very sweet deals for people who would rather take the saving and drive the old model. All manufacturers face this when introducing new models, it's just made worse now because of the slump in new car sales.

I think it really depends on the what the price of gas this summer and where people feel the price is going. If Toyota feels that there is a glut they will offer special financing, and rebates. More than likely you will get a 2009 for the price of the Insight. The 2010 is still going to cost you.

I agree! When Toyota announces the price of the 2010 , I believe it will be the lowest possible price to compete with the Insight. With this going on , the last thing Toyota needs is 2009's sitting on the lot . Now how many are actually sitting on lots across the country is another thing!

" Still, there has been speculation in the Japanese media that Toyota would not only set the new Prius price lower than initially expected at about 2 million yen but that it will also continue to sell the current Prius, matching Insight’s price."

This from a florida Courier article that I can't post because I don't have enough posts to post a link on these forums yet...

So here my 5th post...

BTW, original post of the article was by usbseawolf2000

Sorry for the spamming but I had to get to 6 posts to give the link.
And voila!
In hybrid price war, new Prius battles Insight | www.flcourier.com | Florida Courier

I believe what's going to happen is that the 2009 / Gen II will continue production, lower price, maybe somewhat stripped down compared to a fully loaded (NAV-bluetooth etc) Gen II version, and that way (since R&D, tooling etc is already expensed) the 2009 Gen II will continue production on into 2010 ... and more than easily compete with the "Honda-Prius/Toyota-Insight" ... man that thing looks so much like a Prius, it's hard for me to remember what to call it
But 'languish' ?? No, they're still moving ... just not as fast as in the crazy times when there was up to a 3 month wait.

Just why would Toyota continue to make the Gen 2 car? There is no point at all. We know the 2010 costs 30% less for the hybrid components for a start. It's newer and cheaper technology. With the base model they can probably match the price of the Insight anyway (see Japanese pricing).

This is from first hand experience within the past week. I have been thinking about buying a 2009 Prius hoping now that 2010s are coming the 2009s are probably discounted. Plus the fact that the dealership I visited had 46 of them on their lot to choose from. I felt pretty confident that we'd be driving home in a Prius that evening. But alas - no such luck !

Toyota dealers have this arrogance about them that is just remarkable. I have bought several Lexus and Mercedes vehicles and those dealer treat potential customers with respect. Toyota dealers think Prius is god's gift to earth and paying anything less than MSRP is just blasphemy.

Long story short - I was not able to buy 2009 Prius.

With auto sales plummeting, 46 Prius units on the lot, and 2010s Prius arriving soon - I was left scratching my head as to why would these folks not make a deal. Why would they let a willing buyer walk away.

So as much as I hope that 2009 Prius deals start showing up quick - I believe "most" Toyota dealers are still "high" on what happened in the summer of 2008.

I'll check out a couple of other dealers and see if they are willing to make a deal - otherwise I'll just sit on the sidelines and watch what becomes of these lot-fulls of 2009 Prius.

Hmmm, well just try to go to places like Edmunds and CarsDirect..get the values they have on there, and tell them "other people are getting it for this price...so do you want my money or don't you?"

Or just go to Carsdirect and bypass the dealer all together....

Looks like you can get a Prius for about $2,000 under MSRP without much work...

Wait till the first ship arrives full of 2010's. The value of 2009's will fall off a cliff and they will be begging you to take them away. Even if people have to wait for 2010's, most people will choose to wait for the new model (I know I would!)

For the sake of Toyota, I would hope you are wrong. Perhaps it is just your local dealer. In any event, that level of arrogance will be very costly to the local dealer.

No. You were able to buy, you just chose not to buy -- and I commend you on your action. Too many people decide they want a car and then just pay whatever is asked, regardless of the circumstances. If you have to have a certain color and package, then your time to wheel and deal certainly is fading. If you are willing to take what is on the lot but at the best price, then your time has not yet arrived.

This sounds quite prudent and sensible. Please keep us updated on your progress.

2009s are indeed languishing on lots...

There are thousands of Prii sitting on lots without buyers anywhere to be seen. Their sales have fallen harder and faster than almost any other vehicle. I know for certain that there are 150+ available within 50 miles of me in North Carolina. Some dealerships in the DC/Baltimore dealer are sitting on several dozen each.

If Toyota does price the 2010 aggressively as they did in Japan, expect 2009s to be sold for 19,000, 20k otd.

- snip -

Toyota dealers round here seem to think their stuff doesn't stink but after the 2010s start arriving my plan is to wait for a rainy day and find a salesperson with a hole in their shoe and work my best deal (2009 or a 2010, not sure yet) said differently Prius is a 10 but dealerships are a 1 in my book.

Well the 09 prius is pretty decent already so i don't think the price will drop that much even with 2010 coming out. Note that the base model is hard to find and it doesnt even come with the new features that are shown on the site, its all extra. So basically buying a 2010 prius at base price is like buying an 09 except with just a tad better fuel economy. I bought the 09 prius because I didnt see much sense in waiting for 2010 one. Now all i need is to upgrade to plug in but i gotta save to do so.

The government has to get off its tail and get some sizeable rebates out there for hybrids--including the Japanese cars.
Low 20s is still a steep price to pay for many Americans (though they didn't seem to mind paying a lot more for those big SUV gas guzzlers). You can buy a 30 mpg Corolla or Civic for thousands less.
My Toyota dealer is pricing the cheapest 09s right now at $24K. You have to believe those prices will plummet when the 10s come out. Toyota will have to offer corporate rebates to help out the dealers.
The other variable here is gas prices. $4 gas would get people into hybrids fast. But I don't think the rest of the economy could sustain high oil prices. It won't happen.
And forget about a gas tax. Politicians are spooked about raising taxes--even when they are needed. They will start wars, but they won't raise taxes.