2010 Honda Insight to Start at US$19,800

Re: 2010 Honda Insight to Start at $19,800

I am sure there is a balancing act between units sold and profit. I just think this is an important time for Toyota and the HYBRID. I think the success of Toyota and the 2010 are one and the same.

 

Re: 2010 Honda Insight to Start at $19,800

I'm guessing that they originally aimed for the $18500-ish price but then the unfortunate realities of this international crisis arose. Back when business was more stable the JY/US$ rate was ~105 / 1. It plummeted to under 90 / 1 and it looked like it was in freefall toward 80 / 1. Scary stuff for exporters from Japan.

Over the last month or two the rate has risen back toward 100 / 1 ending recently at 98+ JY to $1. I'm guessing that Honda has protected itself by raising the sales price to cover the eventuality that with our massive borrowing soon that the rate will fall again to the low 90's or lower.

If the exchange rate stays at 98-100 then there's only about a 5% 'loss' vis-a-vis what they had foreseen last year. But OTOH the price is about 5-7% higher than the $18500 originally foreseen too.

This is a long way around to approaching the Prius pricing as it relates to the JY / US$ situation. It will be interesting to see if the commercial types at the home office impose a higher price on the Prius to make up for the fall in the value of the US$. A 5% increase would be approximately $1200-$1500 depending on the package.


Under the new model nomenclature

• The 1223 is approximately a current Package #2 which was ~$24000 MSRP
• The 1225 is approximately a current Package #4 which was ~$25000 MSRP
• The 1227 is approximately a current Package #6 which was ~$28800 MSRP w/o the SRP
• The 1229 is off the chart.

Of course these estimates were before the recent price reductions and rebates on the 09s

 

Re: 2010 Honda Insight to Start at $19,800

i just got a "build your insight" email from honda. when you click on a base model, you have to check 'cvt' for $500. before you can proceed with the build. do you not get a transmission for $19,800.?

 

Re: 2010 Honda Insight to Start at $19,800

No, the only transmission choice is the CVT. If you choose it, they add the $670 destination charge. That's why $19,800 becomes $20,470.

 

Re: 2010 Honda Insight to Start at $19,800

i see, said the blind man.

 

Re: 2010 Honda Insight to Start at $19,800

Hi- If the Insight EX starts at $21,300 then the 2009 Prius is not too much more. I purchased one in Feb with package #2 for $22,790. This includes stability control,backup camera, smart key, am/fm cd w/6 speakers,cruise control, heated outside mirrors, rear bumper applique, and some other items. I think they are both fine cars and more hybrids coming into the automobile market is a step in the right direction. P. S. to danl- If the steering wheel paddles are similar to the Honda Fit then you can have the car on automatic transmission with the option of using the paddles to shift manually....Mike