Prius overtakes Insight as Japan's best-selling car | Shortages Imminment

So I see the other post 2010's not moving off the lots had a lot of merit.

 

Seperate Pools? I hope so. But I don't see how shortage in Japan, coupled perhaps by slugish demand in the US couldn't do anything but result in perhaps less supply in the US. Toyota is going to build and allocate as closely as possible to demand. Not that The US doesn't have a separate pool, but if you NEED Prius in Japan it's awfully tempting to divert supply. If the US economy doesn't pick up, we could be in the wading pool, while Japan is swiming in The Olympic Size Prius supply pool.

Since we are all in this together, I'm glad to hear that sales are going well in Japan. Once the 2009's are gone in the US and 2010 supply starts to be more commonly available I'll be interested to see what the figures are. Right now I think you've got a US run on deal minded buyers of the last of the 2009's coupled with the "Me First" run on the 2010's.

I've decided to be patient, but I can easily see where this might turn out to become a rare situation where being patient backfires. Just have to see.

 

We're in 'Gray time' with the new Prius now - It's all so new, the economy is B.A.D. and 2009's are cheap.

I believe the 2010 will be a smashing success here over time.

I saw a 2010 V, top of the line, Barcelona Red, today ...

Hhhott looking car, OMG. Gone is the tiny-bit-wimpy look of the Gen2.

As the Gen3 hits the road more, folks will say .... wwwhat is that? ... I want one!!!

 

OMG I thought that the insight was the bestest evar just a month ago! sarcasm aside, like I said, when a new model is announced the sales of the old model dip drastically. The 2010 will be a hit once they get them everywhere.

 

It was, but that news came weeks ago:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090511/AUTO01/905110379

Here's my favorite part:

Honda Insight first hybrid to top Japan auto sales​

YURI KAGEYAMA / AP Business Writer​

TOKYO -- Honda's Insight, billed as the cheapest gas-electric hybrid on the market, ranked as the top-selling vehicle in Japan for April -- the first time a hybrid has clinched that spot.


Nice the folks finally see the light. Now think about that . . . a niche market car !!! The #1 selling car in Japan, held by a niche market car !!! ... overtaken by the Prius ... ANOTHER niche market car. Dang niche market cars ... they're everywhere
And if THE niche market cars are winning the sales numbers ... what does that make the 'other' vehicles ... the big 4x4's & mongo sized vehicles that are being given away on the cheep, because of slower than usual sales?​

 

A little clarity as well. Note that Japanese Prius are RHD while US Prius are LHD. It's not so easy to "divert production" from one to the other. Now they -CAN- divert many of the -parts- (hybrid battery, most engine parts, etc), but certainly NOT the finished cars!

Oh, and most of us knew the Prius would outsell the Honda. It gets better mileage, has MUCH more interior room, and is a better overall design. The Japanese ARE one of the most intelligent consumer groups, after all.

 

As long as we ignore all the grown women running around with "Hello Kitty" paraphernalia.

 

It's not just for grow women any more.

 

Is that Dick Cheney? Is he finally coming out of the closet? Now we know what he was keeping in that man-sized safe.

 

It would have been cool if the Prius and Insight went 1-2, it would spur the manufacturers to build more fuel efficient cars.