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SoCal allocation for Prius for early June 2004

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by Dianne, Jun 1, 2004.

  1. Dianne

    Dianne New Member

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    The new early June allocation (first two weeks) in Southern CA is a total of 241 cars. Remember, as I always point out -- there are 75 dealers down here to divvy them up!

    Dianne :roll:
     
  2. bigbaldcuban

    bigbaldcuban New Member

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    Being the eternal optimist that I am, it was 144 in late May, so 241 could be the beginning of something beautiful :D
     
  3. peart75

    peart75 New Member

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    from what my dealer told me, toyota was shipping double this month because the factory is closed a whole month for re-tooling.

    -drew
     
  4. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    retooling??

    hmmm maybe those rumours of no changes in the 2005
    model is false???
     
  5. Dianne

    Dianne New Member

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    Your dealer is an idiot

    They are not retooling for the 2005 Prius. LOL!
    Your dealer is either lying or misinformed! The only thing they retool for is a model change like we expect with Tacoma for 2005... Prius is pretty much the safe, they only will change the digit in the VIN# that denoted the model year of the car.
     
  6. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    well then they are shutting down for yearly maintanence
    then.
     
  7. m4prius

    m4prius New Member

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    If factory is closed for 1 month...this may mean minor changes to 05 Prius like adjustable seat??? This would not involve a retool...just a reconfiguration.

    Mike
     
  8. m4prius

    m4prius New Member

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    Recent article...what do you Prius owners say??

    MARK PHELAN: Cutting the hybrid hype

    They gulp less gas but the fuel savings are better for city drivers
    June 3, 2004


    BY MARK PHELAN
    FREE PRESS AUTO CRITIC

    The summer driving season has arrived, and sky-high gasoline prices came along for the ride. Everyone from daily commuters to long-haul vacationers seems to be talking about the new generation of hybrid gasoline-electric powered vehicles, most of them with images of huge savings dancing in their heads.


    HONDA CIVIC HYBRID
    42.7
    average miles
    per gallon.
    FORD ESCAPE
    33.3
    average miles
    per gallon.
    TOYOTA PRIUS
    48.4
    average miles
    per gallon.
     
  9. Dianne

    Dianne New Member

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    Re: They have not shut down for any reason

    I am going down to the drug store for toenail clippers and a scalpel!

    Dave, routine maintenance is done routinely on Toyota lines, weekly, daily. There is no stoppage that's once yearly. That's part of the KAIZEN philosophy. And, sadly, were the other carmakers to use this philosophy, we'd be getting a run for our money! But, quality control is not an annual thing for Toyota -- it's hourly, daily!

    Retooling is when a car or product changes... and it's done with plenty of planning and quickly. :D
    Dianne
     
  10. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    Thanks for the information, I stand corrected
     
  11. peart75

    peart75 New Member

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    Re: They have not shut down for any reason

    thank you for the clarification dianne. and sorry for contributing to the rumour mill :D
     
  12. plusaf

    plusaf plusaf

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    Re: Your dealer is an idiot

    so, Diane, the only way we could tell an '05 from an '04 would be to look at the VIN number through the windshield? really?!

    usually there are at least some cosmetic changes from model year to model year, and that does require some changeover at the factory. if the changes are small, like maybe a different grille or taillights, the retooling might be quick.

    i sure hope so! i've already got my wife looking forward to an '06 Camry hybrid, and her car will be about 8 years old by then!
     
  13. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    Re: They have not shut down for any reason

    unfortunately, quality control isnt a yearly thing at american car companies either. my uncle worked as a millwright at Fords for over 35 years. what they do is a thing called "damage control". that is when they weigh expected cost of lawsuits stemming from a defect in their vehicles against the expected cost of a recall.
     
  14. Dianne

    Dianne New Member

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    hmmm

    I know there are usually changes, but with a wait list in the tens of thousands, they are smart to not mess with this car and just keep building the damn things with no stoppage. The only changes you'll note are VIN#'s and pricing going upwards. And, the things that we see service bulletins for built into the car from the time the line stops and forward... that's it!

    If there are changes, it'll be last minute decision and a surprise to us all. Toyota, keep that production line moving and change nothing to ensure that the cars keep coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  15. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    most changes from year to year dont really involve
    main assembly line changes. misc parts that might
    change slightly wouldn't change the frame of the
    vehicle. Most of the changes i see is colors. I would
    look for a major change in 3 yrs which is about
    normal. 12-18 months to give this design time to age.
    Modify components based on actual use and
    customer feedback, then create a prototype, test and
    bring it online.

    Any options that can be added without structure
    changes have probably already been talked about.
    After all, what gets to market is usually streamlined
    and edited version of the original plan.
     
  16. pjm877

    pjm877 Member

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    retooling the production line

    Dianne,

    Might Toyota be retooling another plant to produce the Prius also?

    And is there any way to find out the service changes made to the '05 so we can have them made to our '04's (guess gauge anyone :( )

    Here hoping your dept get 1/2 that June allocation (120 Prii), it would only be right for the "Empress of Prius"

    Now go hug that Tiger.

    Later
     
  17. P-Car-Go

    P-Car-Go New Member

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    Prius Allocation

    Where did you find the allocation information? I live near Houston TX, and no dealer can tell me how many Prii are allocated to this area.

    We ordered the Seaside Pearl #2 in 11-03 and it's not even in the dealer computer yet. Dealer said 3-5 months, we're on month 7 at this point.
     
  18. Dianne

    Dianne New Member

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    Re: retooling the production line

    The only change for 2005 that's significant is the rear wiper being standard rather than creating an additional package (1) or package content for the other packages. The colors, and interior colors, at this point, are not reported to be changing. And, I see a package content change happening due to the fact that there are too many that are too close to one another, so they may refine the package choices a bit. I also see, on the very immediate horizon, the EPA cracking down on the volume of cars with HID lights and NAV due to their own rules and restrictions. I betcha the NAV car volume gets cut a bunch, like possibly in half.

    Dianne


     
  19. jchu

    jchu New Member

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    Dianne,

    Out of curiousity, what EPA rules/restirictions apply to HID lights and NAV??

    Jon
     
  20. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    I still don't understand why the EPA is worried about NAV per-se.

    Yeah, HID lights have Mercury. The MFD Screen has Mercury.

    But, the MFD screen is there regardless of whether the NAV box is or isn't, so just taking out the NAV box/receiver doesn't seem like it solves anything.

    So maybe a package with NAV and no HID?

    If they're worried about mercury, I think the yaw sensors for VSC have some in them too. It would be kind of ironic if the EPA limited access to major safety features.