Enter the Rumormill: cheaper Prius on the way?
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Toyota Prius
The success that Honda has had with its new Insight has surely caught the attention of Toyota, its chief rival in the hybrid vehicle games. In its home market of Japan, Honda sold 18,000 Insight hybrids in its first month on sale. This figure beat the automaker's predictions, and a good deal of these early adopters likely chose the Insight over the Prius due to its low price, which undercuts its competitor by a few thousand dollars (or a few million yen, depending on your location).
To properly combat the Insight, rumors are swirling that Toyota is hard at work developing a new low-cost hybrid vehicle that would be priced well under that of the standard Prius. The new model would use similar hybrid technology but would cost 20-30 percent less than its big brother. True or not, Toyota has confirmed that they will continue to sell the previous-generation Prius in Japan for at least the 2010 model year at a price point that should be close to that of the Insight. Toyota told AutoblogGreen that American buyers will not be able to chose a new older Prius once the new model goes on sale.
Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ronEbear 1:44PM (3/13/2009)
Hybrid Yaris?
Reply
Chris M 11:44PM (3/13/2009)
Or maybe a hybrid Corolla?
Sir.Vix 3:19PM (3/13/2009)
Prius Coupe?
Reply
GoodCheer 4:39PM (3/13/2009)
Production 1/Xth?
Reply
MIKE 4:48PM (3/13/2009)
ON MARCH 10TH YOU ANNOUNCED THE INSIGHT GOES ON SALE ON MARCH 24TH. HOW COULD THEY HAVE SOLD 18,000 OF THEM SINCE IT'S ONLY MARCH 13TH?? ARE WE JUST INVENTING NUMBER OR IS IT WISHFUL THINKING.
Reply
Dave 5:28PM (3/13/2009)
They've taken orders for about 18,000 of them in Japan, where they went on sale on the first week of February.
Warner Young 4:27AM (3/14/2009)
I like my Prius, but I think it's past time that Toyota realized they need something cheaper. EIther the Yaris or Corolla platforms would be good, though the Corolla might be too close in size to the existing Prius. Better still is something with its own distinctive look, so it isn't simply a hybrid Yaris.
Reply
Dan Clemons 12:22AM (3/15/2009)
WOW, 18,000 is an impressive figure. Honda should have all build bugs ironed out by now. The Honda Insight looks like a home run for the good folks at Honda. We are doing our homework and will buy a hybrid this spring. That Insight looks like a great grocery getter to me. I will give the 2010 Prius a test drive also.
Reply