Prius Proving To Be A Disappointment in China?

Prius Proving To Be A Disappointment in China?
When Toyota Motor Corp. announced two years ago that it would produce Prius hybrids in China, it seemed like a sure bet.

The air in China's biggest cities is thick with pollution, and the government is pushing up taxes on gas guzzlers. China appeared to be an ideal market for Toyota's gasoline-electric car. But sales of the Prius have been extremely disappointing.

"We started with a target of 3,000 a year, but we're running short of that," said Yoshimi Inaba, an executive vice president of Toyota and its top executive in China. Prius sales are currently running at around 100 a month, or less than half the rate required to meet the annual goal.

The Prius's poor showing, an anomaly in Toyota's otherwise dynamic performance in China, suggests that energy conservation is not a priority among China's newly rich consumers.
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RupertRupert - 11/20/2006 2:12:34 PM
+3 Boost
most un-green country?
that would be the USA.


rockerrocker - 11/20/2006 2:06:38 PM
0 Boost
If there was no tax credit, would the Prius do as well in the US? We may see in the very near future. Also, if it was not for celebrities buying these cars, would sales be as high. Don't the Dixie Chicks own one?


audiotaudiot - 11/20/2006 2:33:10 PM
+4 Boost
No, I've spoken to Prius owners and it's a nice package. It's the only hybrid worth buying, because it's a nice car in its own right and delivers enough mileage to be worth paying extra for.


rockerrocker - 11/20/2006 2:37:11 PM
+1 Boost
Yes and I have an uncle that owns a prius and it sits in the garage next to his Jeep Wrangler that gets 8 mpg and his Surburban that gets 12 mpg. It's all perception, let's see what happens once the fad fades a bit.


kart1kart1 - 11/20/2006 5:42:09 PM
-1 Boost
It may be a fad, but the new technology is not going to sway towards fossil fuels as more hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles are being showed as the future.


rockerrocker - 11/20/2006 9:31:30 PM
0 Boost
Supposedly the world started running out of Oil in 1973 and look at the huge strides we have made. And I mean we as the world.


rockerrocker - 11/20/2006 9:29:22 PM
+1 Boost
How correct you are? I worked in Honduras and the minimum wage there is $1/hr US. And all of their industries are moving to China, what does that tell you about their hourly wage?


delandelan - 11/20/2006 10:14:41 PM
+1 Boost
Rupert said:
__________________________
most un-green country?
that would be the USA.
__________________________

WRONG!

Actually the 10 most polluted cities aren't even in the US.

Chernobyl (Ukraine)
Dzerzinsk (Russia)
Haina (Dominican Republic)
Kabwe (Zambia)
La Oroya (Peru)
Linfen (China)
Mailuu-Suu (Kyrgyzstan)
Norilsk (Russia)
Ranipet (India)
Rudnaya Pristan (Russia)


RupertRupert - 11/21/2006 1:09:07 PM
+1 Boost
thats not what i mean. the US is the most polluting country in the world ie it kicks out the most emissions.


XYZZXYZZ - 11/22/2006 6:38:01 AM
+1 Boost
i don't always agree with rupert, but here i do.

the u.s. pumps out more pollutants because of our high RATES of consumption of nearly everything, and the consequent huge EFFLUENT stream at the other end.

while we have high epa standards on exhaust of cars, power plants, etc., the SHEER VOLUME of carbon fuels we burn means we still pump out more co2 and other greenhouse gases than any other country.


JUGNUJUGNU - 11/21/2006 6:07:04 AM
+1 Boost
Only because of tensions between chineese and japaneese people.Toyota prius is not doing fine.Otherwise i see no point why it's not selling accroding to the plan.

JUGNU


audirevolutionaudirevolution - 11/21/2006 3:42:15 PM
+1 Boost
I wonder if the chinese made a copy of the Prius.
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