Further evidence of twin Prius models for 2010?
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Toyota Prius
It's been prognosticated that Toyota will keep its current-gen Prius around for the foreseeable future to share showroom space with the latest version of the iconic hybrid hatchback, which just recently debuted at the Detroit Auto Show. Toyota had in the past downplayed those rumors, but the Japanese Nikkei is once again reporting the two-Prius strategy, which leads us to believe that there may be some background fire to go with the smoke, at least in Toyota's home market of Japan. We're just going to have to wait and see what happens in U.S. showrooms when the new Prius finally makes its appearance later in the year.
Why would Toyota want to keep its older model around anyway? The answer to that question may have something to do with the automaker's cross-town rival, Honda. With a new competitor coming in the form of the new Insight, which is expected to be priced well below the Prius, Toyota could decide to keep the old model around a bit longer as a price leader.
Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Epyx 1:07PM (1/23/2009)
Maybe it is as simple as excess previous generation Prius models still clogging up the ports.
Is Toyota going to continue to manufacture the old version or are they simply going to keep selling both models side by side?
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Phil L. 1:50PM (1/23/2009)
There are precedents for this: You've got a nice, new replacement for an old model. But the old ones are still selling pretty well, and you can keep churning them out with no new investment. Solution: Build both.
Remember the Jeep Cherokee Classic? Same basic situation. Arguably, Ford would have been miles ahead when they kept the old Taurus line running for fleets if they'd called it "Taurus Classic", and skipped the whole confusing "Five Hundred/Yes It's Really A New Taurus" fiasco.
However, Toyota needs to make sure they don't create model confusion, or dilute the Prius name.
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Sasparilla 2:47PM (1/23/2009)
Auto sales are so bad that Toyota has had to offer incentives on the current Prius, so they will definately have some leftover. I wouldn't think they'd just have an extra factory to make them both at the same time though - although maybe they could make them on the same line (Honda does the Pilot and Accord that way).
A big downside of the current gen Prius is its not top of the line crash ratings (its an old design that came off the Toyota Echo platform, yeah that one). Hopefully Toyota doesn't try to double produce both models as that seems like a sure looser strategy, its an old design and needs to be retired.
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Anthony 3:12PM (1/23/2009)
Personally I don't like the new "small grill" design language Toyota's using so any consideration I'd have for the Prius (which is nill since I like my Honda Hybrid better) would have been totally removed.
These cars are too similar to be side by side. No consumer would understand the difference. It's not like "Coke Classic". Models should change.
chuck thompson 6:39AM (1/24/2009)
On Jan 2 2008 I purchased a 2008 Prius and it now has 12K miles. The only thing I have had to do is change the oil, which is easy for the consumer and rotate the tires. When fuel went to $4+ a gallon I was just passing the gas stations and saving a lot of money when it was giving 48 to 50 mpg. There is no reason why GM, Chrysler or Ford cannot make a compariable car except for stubbonness.
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gadgetsage 4:25PM (1/23/2009)
that they still have so many priusi lying around is the only reason I can see that they're not bringing their hybrid minivan to america, who would spit on prius stampeding on their way buy up those...
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Paul Sallmen 6:23PM (1/23/2009)
Interesting. VW has done a similar thing in Canada with their Golfs. The "Rabbit", a Golf V, is sold alongside the "City Golf", a Golf IV. I understand that they don't sell the City Golf in America, but I believe it's mainly because there is more of a small car market in Canada than the US. (Note the Smart car came first to Canada, as did the Toyota Echo). I think the 2 Prius strategy is fine. Call the current Prius "Prius Classic" or something like that. They'll still be able to sell the current Prius for more than the Insight, as it's still a better hybrid design, despite it being a 2004 model. This is how far ahead Toyota really is.
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BHendrix 10:08PM (1/23/2009)
The Prius is Toyota's image car. They're not going to risk that by keeping the old model around. That would be putting short-term gain before the long-term health of the brand.
From Toyota's perspective, anyone shopping below the Prius can have a Corolla/Matrix/Yaris/Scion. But an "Old Prius" for cheap? Look for that on the used lot.
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