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SALES OF THE PRIUS C in the USA

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by roadrunner, Jan 6, 2018.

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  1. roadrunner

    roadrunner His (blue) and hers (black).

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    Each year fewer are sold in the United States.

    Toyota
    Prius C

    2017 12.415
    2016 20.452
    2015 38.469
    2014 40.570
    2013 41.979
    2012 35.753
     
  2. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    Before I decided to buy a Prius rather than a C, I took a look at several C models. There are a couple things I see that might be causing the decline.

    1] The C hasn't significantly changed since the 2012 introduction. Unless a buyer insists on a new car, there isn't a ton of reason to buy a 2017 vs. a 2014, and they depreciate quickly.

    2] (and the reason I went with a regular Prius) A new C is around $20k. The same $20k gets you a heckuva nice 2-year-old Prius with low miles. Aside from the (very slightly) higher MPG of a C, there's little to recommend it over a used Prius - the regular Prius is an all-around better car.

    But these are just one man's opinions.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they either need a major revamp, or a plug in.
     
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  4. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

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    Not that surprising I would think.

    I can't recall having seen an advertisement on TV (or anywhere else) for the Prius C in a very, very long time. On the other hand, I see commercials for the Honda Fit daily...
     
  5. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

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    But the regular Prius is so ugly.... lol
     
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  6. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    3 reasons for that:
    Gas price
    Gas price
    and
    Gas price ;)

    Well, and some govt. tax rebates expired too.

    Sales of gas guzzlers is UP.
    More people have jobs now.
     
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  7. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Like the wagon Prius v, it is hard to know if the sales decline is due to Toyota holding back on supply and marketing and updates. I just had 2 neighbors buy the v.
     
  8. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I have never looked at the C, there is more competition in hybrids today too. Lots of reasons for fewer sales. JMO
     
  9. roadrunner

    roadrunner His (blue) and hers (black).

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    In are area, I see many buying FSP's. (Fuel Sucking Pigs)
     
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  10. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Most 5 year old platforms don’t sell well.

    Overdue for a refresh just like th V,

    Toyo should have sync’d up their PRII platform changes better than they did,

    If the v would have relaunched this last year for example as a plug in ( even with a small battery)
    I bet it would have continued selling better.

    Ah well
     
  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Out here we call them UAV’s (urban assault vehicles) and the new car lots always have more coming in;).

    I see a fair bit of c’s on my commute, but there is a higher population of varying BEV’s, PHEV’s and hybrids now. Competition is stiff and to not update the platform in 7 model years puts the c at a competitive disadvantage :(.

    But those that have them like them(y).
     
  12. Cparker

    Cparker Junior Member

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    The regular Prius is a bit more reliable, according to Consumer Reports. Any thoughts ?
     
  13. Cparker

    Cparker Junior Member

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    I always thought owning a prius was more than just gas prices, like doing your part to fight global warming , pollution, etc....
     
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Sales approach for 4th Gen Prius is very different here: comparing to 2010 when we bought. The lot was littered with Prius.

    Sales seemed to progressively peter in subsequent years, and now with fourth gen, at least with our nearby dealership, you have to pre-order. They have one demo on the lot.
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    toyota indented prius to reduce emissions. other reasons for buying are invented by car shoppers. saving money at $2.50 a gallon has become a lost art.
     
  16. Sonic_TH

    Sonic_TH Active Member

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    If only they knew what they were saying. The Prius C has shown to be far more reliable than any other Prius.
     
  17. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

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    Can you elaborate more? I have a Prius and a Prius C, would like to know more about the reliability of Prius C, which has not been discussed as extensively as for the regular Prius.
     
  18. Sonic_TH

    Sonic_TH Active Member

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    The Prius C has a few improvements, like the flat wire stators, these can have more current flow through them, and have more torque, the ICE also does not suffers from oil burning, like the Prius from the same year [2012] seems to.
     
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  19. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    It’s unfortunate the 1.5 did not stay the goto motor for all standard PRII as it was more robust than the 1.8, especially in the plug in version.

    with the plug in and lithium Gen IV, the power argument falls flat as they could tune the 1.5 for better FE and add a more powerful “battery assist “ while keeping the more reliable 1.5.

    Also of interest the 1.5 Gen II had a higher maximum fuel economy in low speed pulse and glide as compared to the 1.8 which had better highway, the advancements in motor and battery tech mean they could likely get the same gas HP as the 1.8 out of the 1.5 and actually get better low speed economy with the 1.5 as compared to the 1.8

    ah well, not the direction they have been going, having a 1.5 may have motivated them to be getting more weight out of the design also.
     
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  20. Sonic_TH

    Sonic_TH Active Member

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    Indeed, but it would be good enough if the new Toyota Aqua starts being sold in the USA.