Toyota Turns Up The Heat On Honda With 80,000 Pre-Orders In Japan For The 2010 Prius

Toyota Turns Up The Heat On Honda With 80,000 Pre-Orders In Japan For The 2010 Prius
Toyota Motor Corp said on Monday its new Prius had received pre-sale orders for 80,000 vehicles in Japan, kicking off what promises to be a fierce battle against hybrid rival Honda Motor Co.

Toyota, which has dominated the market for gasoline-electric cars so far, is looking to take back the crown after Honda's new Insight became the first hybrid ever to top the best-sellers' list in Japan last month.

"The hybrid market is going to be one of the fastest-growing segments in the world," said JPMorgan Securities auto analyst Takaki Nakanishi.

"With the global economy in a recession, luxury and large cars are not selling but fuel-conscious cars are in fact growing. Toyota's earnings performance is hurting right now, and they can't afford to lose the lead in this market," he said.

Introducing the third-generation Prius, Executive Vice President Akio Toyoda said the upgraded model, which costs about $3,000 less than the previous version, had received more than 80,000 orders ahead of the start of sales on Monday in Japan, where it aims to sell 10,000 vehicles a month.

"We lowered the price to appeal to a broadening customer base," Toyoda, who will be promoted to president next month, told a news conference.

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inspirion7inspirion7 - 5/19/2009 8:04:09 PM
-3 Boost
Goes to show you, Toyota is scared s@#tless of the best selling, first hybrid to outsell petrol model vehicle Honda Insight. They are on the defensive.


inspirion7inspirion7 - 5/20/2009 9:56:25 AM
+2 Boost
The 2009 sales are down 50%. The 2010 are not out yet.


inspirion7inspirion7 - 5/19/2009 8:10:48 PM
-4 Boost
"We lowered the price to appeal to a broadening customer base," Toyoda said.

No, the real reason the is the Insight is kickin' much ass in Japan and Toyota has blinked. The Prius can't compete at the price-point with the Insight. Premium pricing is gone. Exclusivity bye,bye.

There's a new sheriff in town boys, and the names Insight, Honda Insight.


AnthonyAnthony - 5/20/2009 12:11:31 AM
+3 Boost
The Prius gets better mileage than the Insight, comes standard with more equipment, and has more options than the Insight as well. The Prius has always been the de facto hybrid to go to in its class, no news here.


inspirion7inspirion7 - 5/20/2009 10:56:15 AM
0 Boost
The Insight is the better value overall. It isn't as advanced as the 2010 Prius, but for a number of consumers, that isn't very important. Almost every comparo has the Honda Insight the winner:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0905_2010_honda_insight_vs_2010_toyota_prius_comparison_test/results.html

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=139686

My question is, if the Prius is such a superior car, then why has the Prius lagged behind in the sales charts in Japan, its home market and an upstart out of the gate, dominates it. Where is the Prius loyalist? (how long has the Prius been on the market?)



Honda's new Insight ranked as the entire industry's best-selling new car in Japan for April 2009, with sales of 10,481 units. It is the first time that a hybrid model has topped the new car sales tables in Japan

The Honda Fit (or Jazz as it is known in Europe) was Japan's best-selling new car for calendar year 2008 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. Fit was also the industry's best-selling car for March 2009, its fourth consecutive month at the top, until it was displaced by Insight to become the industry's second best-selling car in April 2009. It is the first time Honda has occupied the industry's top two best-selling car positions.



Lexusgs460Lexusgs460 - 5/20/2009 1:04:14 PM
0 Boost
Maybe you guys didnt read the article right, 80,000 pre-ordered for the Prius. 80,000


inspirion7inspirion7 - 5/20/2009 5:11:27 PM
+2 Boost
yeah, I read it right. So.


wangawanga - 5/22/2009 8:04:29 AM
+1 Boost
Honda has a story of manufacturing better vehicle than toyota,more fun to drive.
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