Toyota's '06 Hybrid US Delivery Schedule

Your first paragraph is correct.
Your second is incorrect.
If the 60K threshold is reached in Q2, the phaseout will begin October 1, 2006.
There is coverage of the Phase-out_of_the_hybrid_tax_credit in the Toyota_Prius_FAQ.

 

[But, to my understanding, if they sell number 60,000 during the second quarter, the tax credit will last for another two quarters (thru 12/06). And on it goes, but it would sure be nice to know whether I have to buy my Prius in the first half of the year, or whether I have the entire year to round up the money.

Remember, it is not the first 60,000 Prius 2006. It is all hybrids Toyota makes (i.e. Highlander) and would include any new Prius 2005's that get sold after 12/31/05. Based upon my local dealer trying to get me to buy a 2005 before the end of the year (sorry, not likely) there may be a bunch of new 2005's that get sold the first week of 2006.

I am sure Toyota will be watching those numbers very closely to extend the full rebate for as long as possible.

Springtime

 

*EDIT* Correction to an incorrect statement as a result of misinformation.

Not just the first 60,000 Prii, but all Toyota hybrids. Correct.

 

why do you need a reliable indicator when you will still have the remainder of the quarter in which the 60Kth vehicle is sold plus the quarter after that? plan on it being the first week of april

 

"for as many additional quarters as it took to meet that threshhold"
If it took 1 extra quarter to reach, the 100% period will be longer by 1 additional quarter.

I'm glad that the links provided enabled you to verify the correct answer.

I think anybody who is motivated by the credit should have no problem buying a Prius by June 30.
As to whether Toyota will sell 60K hybrids in the first quarter, most estimates I've seen view this scenario as possible but not likely.
If I were Toyota, I'd be working to make sure this threshold was achieved in the first month of a quarter to keep the incentive going longer. More incentive, more vehicles sold.

 

Considering that Toyota is not increasing Prius deliveries to the US, and the Hybrid Camry won't be available until Q3, I think it's safe to say they won't run over the limit in Q1. The only question is, will they run over in Q2 or will they stretch it out until Q3.

If they pass the threshold in Q2, then the full credit will be available until Sept 30, 2006

If they don't pass the threshold until Q3, then the full credit will be available for all of the 2006 calendar year.

 

Looking at Toyota's US sales reports like the one at
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/12/01/153635.html should be able give you a feel for how many hybrids Toyota sells every month and when they might hit 60K. You can find others by doing a Google search for "Toyota _____ 2005 sales". Replace ____ with a month.

 

so Toyota is not increasing production for the 2006 Prius???

that is a bummer.

 

Yeah, I posted about it Here