Toyota Planned For 10,000 Orders For Prius 3.0 In Japan In May, Got 180,000 - NYT

[hatrack]

TOKYO (AP) -- Toyota Motor Corp. got 180,000 orders for the new Prius hybrid in Japan in just a month, far surpassing its target of 10,000 vehicles in monthly sales, the automaker said Friday.

The third-generation Prius, which rolled out a month ago, has been a big hit here, partly because of tax-breaks and other new government incentives that are meant to perk growth during the nation's downturn. The Prius was the No. 1 selling vehicle in Japan for May, clinching the top spot in the domestic market for the first time and overtaking Honda's new hybrid, the Insight, which fell to third after taking the top spot in April.

Competition in the hybrid vehicle market has intensified after the Insight debuted in February in Japan at 1.89 million yen ($19,700). Toyota is offering its new Prius at just over 2 million yen ($20,900), about 300,000 yen ($3,100) cheaper than the previous model. The upgrade has a larger 1.8-liter engine but gets better mileage than the older one.

The new Prius is just starting to arrive in the U.S., where sales for last month totaled just 700. Dealers are still selling mostly the second-generation Prius, making for total Prius sales of 10,091 for May, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said. Strong hybrid sales are a rare bright spot for Japan's automakers, which have been battered by the global slowdown, a strengthening yen and the U.S. credit crunch.

EDIT

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/06/19/business/AP-AS-Japan-Toyota-Prius.html?_r=1

[GodlessBiker]

1. Why the fuck aren't American car companies building this kind of car?!? It's so fuckin' stupid.

[MercutioATC]

2. GM's hybrid sedan is soooo much better than the Prius.

Oh wait...no it isn't.


...maybe that's an example of why there IS no more GM.

[kristopher]

7. Actually it will be much better.

[depakid]

3. Cue the muscle car proponents...

[phantom power]

4. I have been assured that Toyota's lead in this market is....

because Americans are all Japan-worshiping, GM-hating bigots.

And also that we are big poopy-heads.

[aquart]

5. So the better mousetrap theory is all true?

[JohnWxy]

6. Japan giving up to $1,500 tax relief (for PRius) and rebates 0f $2,500 for 13 yr old trade-ins!!

"In Japan, hybrids are now tax-free, delivering savings of about 150,000 yen ($1,500) for a Prius buyer. Other fuel-efficient models qualify for lower savings.

Also helping is a ''cash-for-clunkers'' program similar to the plan initiated by President Barack Obama, which offers vouchers worth up to $4,500 for a gas-guzzler turned in for a new car in the U.S.

In Japan, people who trade in a car 13 years or older get a 250,000 yen ($2,500) rebate for buying an ecological model. Those without a trade-in get 100,000 yen ($1,000)."
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$1,500 Tax abatement + $2.500 for a trade-in 13 yrs or older. some are getting a new Prius for $16,900 ($20,900 - $4,000)!!

Here in the U.S. cash for clunker is good for $4,500 rebate. WOW!