Toyota has announced the pricing for the 2008 Toyota Prius, which now has a lower starting price than the 2007 model. This is due to the introduction of a new standard model that will start at $20,950.
The new standard model has less standard features, which allows it to come in at a lower price. The Limited model has gone up $150 to $23,220.
Could the new lower price be due to the fact that overall consumer interest in hybrids has given way to interest in diesel powered vehicles? JD Power & Associates discovered that overall interest in hybrids as declined, while interest in diesels has been increasing.
Toyota also announced a $1,000 drop for the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Full Story: Autoblog
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Comments (10)
21k????
Hum... i would rather buy a rabbit for 16k... save 5k for the gas...
From what i spend on gas now, it would drive me for almost 3 years.
Posted by Rafael Fernandes | July 31, 2007 2:02 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 14:02
The Rabbit isn't a 4-door. Apples-to-oranges.
Posted by Payton Byrd | July 31, 2007 2:35 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 14:35
I think that people have been learning about the environmental damage caused when making the batteries for these cars. This of course leads to another technology that is also much cleaner than gasoline, diesel.
Posted by gm0n3y | July 31, 2007 3:05 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 15:05
It's just a function of the price of gas...when gas falls (as it has for the last two months) the demand for the hybrids falls. If and when the price of gas goes toward $4.00/gallon, hybrid demand will surge again. Inevitably, when the US begins selling more diesels, the price of diesel will go up quickly, possibly putting a ceiling on diesel demand.
Posted by WS | July 31, 2007 4:44 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 16:44
i think its because a certain democratic candidates son was just arrested for drug sossesion while speeding in one of these bad boys... anyone know who im thinking of?
hint. it was inconvienient trafic stop for him...
Posted by dennisil | July 31, 2007 4:45 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 16:45
"Payton Byrd:
The Rabbit isn't a 4-door. Apples-to-oranges."
Hey Byrd brain, the Rabbit or (Golf) MKV from VW
is 2 door or 4 door, both of which are priced under 19k, so either way you come out saving a good chunk of change.
And besides, even if the Prius starts at 21k, their is no way you are leaving a toyota dealer, without paying TTL, dealer fees, or any other markups due to the popularity of the name. Plus im sure you are going to want a few options on that car, which would probaly make your purchase 25k.
Just know what you are talking about before making blanket statements about a Model.
Posted by Iridium Shadow | July 31, 2007 8:46 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 20:46
To Iridium:
Payton wasn't completely off the mark. Rafael was specifically referring to the cheaper 2 door model.
Also, if you're going to say the customer is going to get options with the Toyota, wouldn't it also be wise to consider that the customer would also get options with the VW?
Posted by upl8n8 | July 31, 2007 10:58 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 22:58
upl8n8:
You can get a 4 door rabbit 170hp , with heated seats,6 cd changer, Sat Radio, 10 speaker surround, Stability control, power seat, 4 way tilt steerting, and other very nice features and materials still for ~19k...its still a better buy.
Posted by Iridium Shadow | August 1, 2007 9:18 AM
Posted on August 1, 2007 09:18
Yeah, but you haven't factored the Rabbit's time spent in the shop...;-)
Posted by WS | August 1, 2007 10:09 AM
Posted on August 1, 2007 10:09
It's totally obvious why they're lowering the price. The federal tax credits for Toyota are gone now. I'm looking to buy a hybrid in a few months. I was looking at the Camry and the Altima. I get about $2400 back on the Altima and nothing on the Camry. That's a big difference.
Also, at least in California, they're not giving out the ride-alone-in-carpool-lane stickers anymore for hybrids, which takes away a good incentive to buy one.
Posted by David | August 1, 2007 12:07 PM
Posted on August 1, 2007 12:07