It was obvious. When the USD is in the pooper, you need more of them to make the same amount of Yen. It is not really a price increase, it is just an adjustment for the weak dollar.
They could start assembling them in US you know. would make up for post-tsunami reduced capacity, and make a few bucks by importing them to Japan.
The US bought 14K last month. Just Japan bought 35K last month. Add in China, Korea, Australia, and pretty much every other Asian country, it is much easier to ship a few this way, then to ship many many many giant boatloads back the other way. The US is not the biggest market for them, so it doesn't make sense (or cents) to make them in the US.
maybe or maybe not. 14K is still a big chunk, and since there is more stuff shipped to US then from, many container ships going back empty. And it is alot cheaper to ship to Europe, Canada, Latin America from US then from Japan, just saying
It is a big chunk but not the most significant in any way. To open a new plant in these times is not in many companies' wish lists. Europe is shipped to via China ports then trained over more than likely although I have no idea. It seems to be the most common method though.
I don't think anyone intended to suggest that they be made only in the U.S. In fact, before the housing collapse and ensuing recession, wasn't Toyota planning to build some of the Gen3's here in the states? PS - Yes, back when auto sales were higher, the Tupelo Mississippi plant was targeted to build Prius. And I'm sure that didn't mean JDM Prii.
Here is a link to USA Toyota newsroom release from Dec 19 with lots of 2012 pricing details, except Prius v (wagon): Toyota | Toyota Announces Prices for 2012 RAV4 Compact SUV and Prius Liftback Quote from press release; "The 2012 Prius Liftback MSRP ranges from $24,000 for the Prius Two model to $29,805 for Prius Five, reflecting a price increase ranging from 2.0 percent to 4.3 percent." There is a nice table showing each lift back model's price increase near the end of the press release.
Camrys are made here. Corolla used to be produced at NUMMI, 10 miles S of here 'til GM pulled out and plant closed (Tesla Motors working on model S there). NUMMI's quality and efficiency in building Corolla, Tacoma and Vibe was reported virtually as good as Toyota Japan builds. No worries. They'd still build under the TPS - Toyota Production System.
Did Hyundai/Kia lose much build quality when they opened their Sonata/Optima and Santa Fe/Sorento plants in the states?
Yeah looks like they have capacity. The only question is finding the local suppliers. Since there is only 2 years left in Gen III would not be surprising if they decide to start production with Gen IV.
