2010 Prius Option Packages at NAIAS

Just for clarity's sake: As of this moment, there is NO plan to introduce any model equipped with both (Solar Roof) AND (LED headlamps/17" wheels/DRCC/LKA/PCS/IPA). The reason is that the weight of the vehicle would be too high, causing impacts to fuel economy and requiring more substantial engineering changes. I will never say never, but for the foreseeable future, that is (unfortunately) the case.

Thanks for continuing to state your case. The more you do, the more pressure there is on us to make sure our customers are satisfied. Keep complaining!

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales USA

 

Doug,

Thanks for the amazingly fast response. Frankly, I hadn't expected a direct response. I'm most grateful for the direct communication.

So, should I take this to mean that the weight of the solar panel moonroof is pushing the Prius curb weight too high, therefore, adding any other tech options is putting it over the Toyota Design Team's target empty weight (like the weight & balance chart in a plane)?

Either way, I was really hoping to see a more robust bundling of the advanced technology options. Ugh. This is making matters very complicated indeed. The one additional feature I'd personally want with the solar panel moonroof is the DRCC/PCS. The IPA, LKA and 17" alloy wheels are nice, but not crucial. I'd have a preference for LED headlights, but again, not critical. The DRCC/PCS is a huge plus for someone like me that is driving quite a lot. It's really annoying to have to constantly fiddle with cruise control when someone gets ahead of me, but is driving more slowly.

I suppose the "gold" package is where I'd stop (grudgingly)...the solar panel moonroof & remote A/C are a higher priority than the other options. But...any chance of seeing the combination or the moonroof + DRCC, or is it the weight of the solar panel that is the "deal breaker"?

And again...thanks for making yourself available on these forums! Great job!



--DotComCTO

 

Just out of curiosity, would having a 1 door smart key system and a 3 door smart key system being produced concurrently on various trim levels really save money over having a standard 3 door system?

I'm planning to pick up the 2010 Prius through our company's fleet program and most likely I'll get something close to a package #3 (silver). My wife and I excited at the prospect of owning a Toyota again after some very expensive to own German vehicles....our wallets will thank you too!

 

obviously yes, otherwise they wouldnt have had it that way.

In Europe, we will get everything on our Prius's, but they will also be significantly more expensive than in the USA.

 

In Australia we will pay more for a base Prius than you pay for Gold or Platinum package while our optioned up version and there will likely only be 1, will cost as much as you pay for a small Lexus in USA.

 

Doug, what about the possibility of just adding the Led Headlight and fog lamp combination. Would this be too much weight? And, could this be added later after delivery by a dealer?

The wheel weight of the 17" seems to me to be the main issue. But all I would want is the LED lights added to the "Gold" package.

Thanks,

Lee

 

Having thought about this a bit more, I going to make a wild guess that there are two issues:

1. Overall weight with the solar panel moonroof.

2. How to bundle the remaining "tech" items into a compelling package that someone would want (or make a trade-off for the solar panel). For example, if there were a package with the mooroof + LED lights + 17" alloy wheels, how many people would buy a package that deleted those and added the remaining options?

Does that make sense?

--DotComCTO

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like most of the packages that we are talking about most people can't afford. If Prius cares about making hybrids popular they have to keep the prices down. I don't like the Insight but I think they have the right Idea as far as being affordable. Hybryds will only be popular if the public can afford them. I would love to get all the extras they are talking about but it seems that Toyota is going to make it difficult for me to get even the basic model.

 

Last I heard the prices had not yet been released. Do you know something the rest of us don't? If not, how can you make such a statement?

 

The Silver package would suit me and would be a step up from what I have.
It seems Americans are acustomed to being spoiled for choice, here we get 3 choices with the current Prius,
Basic although better equiped than the US basic Prius, it has no nav, 2 airbags and no SKS, $37,400
iTech with everything. $46,900
Another car. $???
I expect we will have a similar set of choices with the 2010.

 

well thats why there is an base package... or are you complaining that there are high end packages?

 

I was hoping a few months ago after reading that Toyota had reduced the cost of the making hybrids that either there would be a reduction in the base price or that they would improve the Prius but maintain the base cost . I have to admit that everything they did to improve the car is great but I feel that keeping the car affordable to more people is essential.
I do hope Toyota has taken into account the countless number of people who want to buy a car that not only gets 50 or more mpg's but is affordable.