Why aren't ALL packages available everywhere?

It definitely irks me! I want a Package #7 but remember hearing somewhere that the package was not available in California, but Package #8 is. #8 adds on leather interior at an additional ~$1160 which I could really do without.

I've never much liked leather seating to begin with, and the cloth seats in the upgraded Prius I test drove were very much to my liking. And now I may either have to pay extra $ for leather seating I don't care for, or somehow find a way to talk my dealer into snagging a Package 7 from a region that carries them if he can and if he will. And I refuse to go down below #7 as Navigation is extremely important to me-it's non-negotiable.

 

Don't know. I wanted a #5, but had to "settle" for a #6 as you can only get a #1, #3 and #6 in So Cal (I tried in Nevada, but failed).

My father said it reminded him of after WWII when dealers put on the most options as they could. They knew people were willing to spend just about anything for something as rare as a new car and there was a lot of profit in the options. In this case it's the rare Prius.

 

My guess is they know for instance that hill-billies don't need the Navigation option because all 100 people in thier town know where the 2 gas stations and 4 resterants are. There's only 1 highway and no cell phone repeaters so the BT is no good because Sprint's all digital nation-wide (built from the ground up) system can't be heard. And since the NAV doesn't show POI for cattle and sheep nobody would ever want to buy that package.

 

Regional distributors make the choices as to which options they'll sell. Since they're in charge of selling cars for the entire region, they're the ones to contend with. They buy their cars from Toyota, add some options at port (OK, that's mostly SET) and ship them out to dealers who sell the cars to people.

If you want a car your regional distributor doesn't carry, you have to go to a state that is serviced by a different distributor.

Stupid, but I guess that's the way some things go.

 

Well, I guess not everything makes sense. Toyota employs distibutors to take on the cost of distibuting their cars in the US. While it would be great if we could just pick up any car anywhere, that's capitalism for you.

 

My uneducated guess is that it makes their lives easier by SEEMING to be able to satisfy their customers' [forcibly reduced] desires.

8 colors X 8 packages = 64 possible color/package combos.

8 colors X 3 packages = 24 possible color/package combos

In other words, if they can artificially lower customers' expectations UP FRONT by limiting package/combo choices, both their (dealers') odds and customers' odds of getting what they "ordered" goes way up.

Yeah, it sucks. I want a #2. How many 2's do you think there will be? None here in CA. So if I buy here, I'll have to settle for #3. And how many "low-end" Priuses do you think Toyota will make compared to #5 and higher?

My odds are reduced appreciably from the git-go.

 

I read a post recently that put my regions allocation at 15% #2 and the remaining 85% for packages #6, 7, & 8.
I want #4 so I have to drop down to #2 unless my dealer can get a #4 from NJ.

 

Is there a map or a listing somewhere showing the Toyota regions and what states are in each region? I'd like to see how far I have to drive to get what I want.

Shelly

 

Look in the Dealers and Pricing Forum. At the top of the first page are "pinned" two threads; one is "How to find out...SE Region Allocations". There's a post listing states in each region AND a link back to an older PC thread with another listing.

 

Well, I did get a chuckle aka007ii. Actually, I ordered the cowboy nav option which will be able to locate my cattle since I imbed a chip in their ears......
Hey, watch what you say about cow chips..... :lol:

 

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If you consider ALL the combinations, there are 117 possible color/package choices.

That is: 9 option packages and 13 ext/int color combinations (9X13=117)

Let's say a dealer got 30 prius/month. That would mean, on average, they would only get ONE(!) of each combo every 4 MONTHS. Of course, this does not take into account that the high-end packages will roll of the assembly line first

Lot's of choices (probably too many) and every dealer clearly cannot be expected to carry all of them. I am on the list for an '06 (my dealer only has 72 combinations coming in) and first thought that I would have to push the dealer to delay delivery until Jan. Now I'm thinking I will be lucky to get one of my top combo choices by April

BTW: greetings guys. My first post. I'm on the list for a Seaside Pearl #3,w/grey interior. What are the odds that combo will show up in Jan. Slim at best.

 

You could go to Build Your Toyota and enter your ZIP code. The packages that are available in your area will be the only ones you can check. Changing the ZIP code may change the availability.

 

This site doesn't include 2006 MY yet.

 

Greetings, qed! Thanks for the post taking into account what I hadn't---interior color choices.

I have exactly the same combo "ordered" as you. B)

 

Welcome to PC.

There are 8 option packages for 2006 and not all color combinations are available.
This will significantly reduce the overall number.

I'm tired and too lazy to add 'em up. Any volunteers?