Toyota offering rebates on 2009 Prius
Despite the horribly irritating ad campaign, it turns out that Toyota was not quite "Saved by Zero." In fact, the automaker actually lost market share during the period that it was offering zero-percent financing deals on many of its most popular models, leading many dealers to call for good old-fashioned cash incentives instead. Toyota's been listening and has announced a series of cash-back bonuses, including on the midsize Camry, compact Corolla and even the 2009 Prius hybrid. Of course, big trucks get in on the rebate game, garnering rebates of up to $4,000 depending on the model year, but the Prius' $750 incentive may be enough to get a few consumers off the fence ahead of the redesigned 2010 model. With stiff competition on the way from the Honda Insight as well as the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Toyota will likely need to work harder that it has in the past to move its hybrid hatch.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nardvark 10:14AM (1/21/2009)
Also, pretty much everyone who wanted a Prius for the sake of being green has one. Now that it's moving into a normal market segment, where purchasing decisions are based more on cost than any other factor, the Prius is a tougher sell.
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Charles S 1:18PM (1/21/2009)
Sorry, I have to disagree. If cost is the ONLY factor in buying a car, then truck sales should do much better than car sales right now. Gas is cheap, and with all the cash incentives, trucks are a bargain right now.
There are plenty of people like me who was ready to buy, but decided to hold back from buying *ANYTHING* because of the bad economy.
Aside from checking out the new Insight, there are no other cars out there that's worth my time but the Prius.
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Jeff 1:58PM (1/21/2009)
Hm. Methinks that once the price of gas went down, the attractiveness of this frankly ugly car did too.
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Throwback 2:16PM (1/21/2009)
nardvark, I agree with you. Everyone who "had" to have a Prius has one. Now it is down to does this make sense for me, or should I buy a much cheaper Versa or Fit? Price is still the main motivator for buyers, that is people buy what they think they can afford. If MPG is important to you the Prius may be on your list but it has to compete with cheaper fuel efficient cars. It does not help that the car is awful to drive, numb steering no tilt/telescope on the wheel and spongy brakes. As for the Prius worshippers, why buy now before driving the new model
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D Man 8:39PM (1/21/2009)
Is "Prius" a typo? I thought all this time it was the Toyota Pious. :-)
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Charles S 3:48PM (1/21/2009)
If price matters, why do people by Corvettes? Miatas? My co-worker just bought himself a Dodge Challenger.
Also, people who are interested in a bigger vehicle like the Prius would *NOT* be interested in a Versa, or even a Fit, although the Fit is quite roomy.
Just because Prius sales are down doesn't mean there is any less interest in the car. Just the same for American Trucks.
It's the economy... and that is hurting sales of ALL TYPES of vehicle...
People been making up all sorts of reasons to discredit the Prius for how long now? Almost TEN YEARS! Give it a break already... sheesh.
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majortom1981 3:56PM (1/21/2009)
Then there are the people like me wh osee that gas will go back up to $4. Heck the oil and gas companies are doing their hardest to make the prices jump back up to that point.
IF I were looking for a car right now it would either be a prius or the base model impreza (for awd).
The problem is the fact that a much better 2010 model is coming out. Anybody interested in the prius will be waiting for that model.
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Al Reasin 7:57AM (1/22/2009)
They should offer rebates after what my mechanic told me. Because of placement of major drive components in the front of the engine compartment, a front end collision repair bill is much more expensive than conventional gasoline vehicles and the insurance companies have now realized this and have increased rates accordingly. Also because of the cost of battery replacements after roughly 5 years of use, the value of the car plummets as that time draws near.
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