Whats up with all the Prius commercials?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clintd555 @ Jan 31 2007, 11:39 AM) [snapback]383425[/snapback]</div>

I was offered "1% above invoice price" for an 07 Prius + 0% APR for 24 months.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clintd555 @ Jan 31 2007, 11:39 AM) [snapback]383425[/snapback]</div>

Question about that -- when will the new 08 Prius start being sold in the US? Any inside info?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clintd555 @ Jan 31 2007, 02:39 PM) [snapback]383425[/snapback]</div>

Priuses no longer seem to be in short supply, though one still might have to 'settle' for colors/option packages that are on dealer lots. My local dealer offered me any of 10 cars on their lot at reasonable discounts off of list price ($200-$1200 depending on option packages present). Zero percent financing has been stated on local TV ads as well as $200+ monthly lease rates. The four local Toyota dealers each have a half dozen or more Priuses on their lots at most times now. All the models I see listed on dealer websites in my area are 2007 models.

 

yeah, the increased commercial airtime is a sign of diminished value

I guess they have finally ramped the prius production up enough to at least not have a wait list. I'm sure many consumers have been waiting for this (or buying another car instead). I think it's good for the hybrid market if not for resale value.

Let's hope they can ramp the next generation faster. So is the 08 or 09 model the next generation?

/Robert

 

I haven't seen any Prius commercials...but then, I don't own a TV, either...
[smile]

There are a bunch of what appear to be new Prii at Melody Toyota in San Bruno, CA...I see 'em every day from the train, on the way back from work.

I'm sure the ending of the hybrid tax credit has something to do with the increased advertising, as does the fact that the current car is in its fourth year without any major visible revisions.

 

I think prius sell quite well! It's still the best car on the market if you need a car today! I just think that we're seeing production increases. It would be interesting to see ho wmany days a prius stays on a dealer lot. I'm sure it has increased but I'll bet it's still a low number compared to other Toyota models

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Jan 31 2007, 03:06 PM) [snapback]383452[/snapback]</div>

Don't forget that commercials also speak to current owners, in an effort to combat buyer's remorse/reassure them that they made the right choice and continue to indentify with the things that influenced them in the first place.

Perhaps, the idea here could also be to 're-energize' current Prius owners' feelings about the car, so that when it comes time to buy, they'll more readily consider another...

But, as I said, I haven't seen the commercials, so I can't analyze the content in any meaningful way.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jan 31 2007, 12:17 PM) [snapback]383461[/snapback]</div>

Get a TV... and tell us your true feelings about these commercials....

 

Yes, we've been seeing the commercials, too. It appears that the market for über-efficiency has gone south in many areas because gas is currently under $2, at least where we are. Mr. & Mrs. Joe Average US Car Buyer have very short memories, so the Prius buying frenzy is over, at least for the moment.

I even heard a local dealer's late-night TV pitch about "Many Priuses in stock and we're dealing!" So fair numbers are apparently languishing on the lots. When out shopping last Saturday, we were even offered "we'll make it worth your while" on the price on a base-package model - so they are in fact dealing. 0%/24 month wasn't on the table, however, so that must be a regional thing.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clintd555 @ Jan 31 2007, 01:39 PM) [snapback]383425[/snapback]</div>

But they did anyway.

This is just another short advertising campaign, something the veteran owners recognize. We've seen this several times before. Those newer to the Prius world will speculate. But I certainly haven't noticed a big-picture pattern change yet.

Eventually, Prius will become recognized as part of the regular line-up. Right now though, especially shortly before the SuperBowl advertising blitz and shortly after the State-Of-The-Union address, Prius really stands out.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ Jan 31 2007, 03:26 PM) [snapback]383467[/snapback]</div>

May I tell you my true feelings about TV first?
[laughing]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jan 31 2007, 01:49 PM) [snapback]383511[/snapback]</div>

Please do... at WWW.TVChat.com .... not here.... (actually, I don't know if such a site exists...)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ Jan 31 2007, 03:26 PM) [snapback]383467[/snapback]</div>

All toyota commercials are so annoying I'm considering selling my car every time I see them!

 

It may be that Toyota has found that people still assume that Prii are unobtainable, with long wait times to get one. The commercials can serve to dispel that idea. Yes, you can buy a Prius at your local Toyota dealer, come on by and take a test drive.

Look at how many people still think you have to plug a Prius in to be able to drive one!

Harry

 

Let's hope they can ramp the next generation faster. So is the 08 or 09 model the next generation?


The new model Prius is set for April '09 production in Japan. Learn to live with the current shape for a while yet.

 

I haven't seen a single commercial for the Prius, although in one local Toyota commercial you can just see one way in the background as the camera pans to follow the actor.

Tom

 

I see many of you don't understand corporate advertising. The MAIN objective is to promote Toyota vehicle "responsibility". Think "see, we are corporately responsible, we make fuel efficient vehicles, VERY fuel efficient. Never mind that gas guzzling full size pickup we just introduced." It also doesn't hurt if it sells more Prius. In fact, selling more Prius will help keep the "fleet MPG" up when the full size truck starts selling well. Toyota do claim to have the best fleet MPG. Got to keep up that number!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clintd555 @ Feb 1 2007, 08:54 AM) [snapback]383845[/snapback]</div>

Yes, as I understand it, the '08 model year cars will have EPA ratings based on the new testing standards.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Feb 1 2007, 10:23 AM) [snapback]383851[/snapback]</div>

I'm not following your logic. I see plenty of Toyota ads featuring the Prius and also ads for the 4 Runner, Tacoma, Tundra etc. I also see a lot of GM ads talking about E85, the hybrid Saturn, and Ford ads talking about their commitment to the environment, Escape hybrids, etc. DC ads seem to want to talk about Hemis, but I suppose they have other ads I've not seen... In other words, Toyota's ad campaign doesn't seem *that* much different than what any other car company is doing.