Ok I don't mean marketing type advertisement (you always say "starting at $xxxxx" don't you?) I meant that if say a 4 cylinder Venza is to advertise x mpg, it cannot be heavier than y lbs. We don't know which model the EPA uses to test for mpg. Most likely it'll be the base model cause it's the lightest (that pano roof can't be light and neither is a power liftgate). With the Prius, it's only one engine with a myriad of options. Most cars only have a "fully loaded model" with another engine (usually a bigger one) and that bigger engined car is usually better spec'd so some equipment is already included in the mpg testing. I thought LKA was only available in the US. Do you mean DRCC?? Yeah the US gets the lowest price of any country in the world (yes even Japan b/c the base ¥2M model has no radio) so frankly I'm annoyed when anyone comes and asks why the Prius is so damn expensive. Actually, I think most cars in the US is cheaper than anywhere in the world (spec for spec). The higher level of equipment on European vehicles are nowhere near worth their price difference. Maybe it's the tariffs to protect local European manufacturers.
I still think it due to some Toyota USA convoluted thinking more than anything else. Its like saying they excluded the turn signal mirrors because it effects DOT rules.
This comment seems specious. If turn signal mirrors were excluded by DOT rules, then Toyota would have to exclude them. Tom
It wasn't DOT that made Toyota USA exclude the turn signal mirrors. There are plenty of cars in the US with them. It was simply a marketing decision, I would think.
I still think it was marketing, in that they did not want to sell a Prius in the US with a price tag above $35,000 plus $750 destination plus local taxes. That would make the car push $39,000. Other factors may have contributed, but this seems a biggie from a marketing perspective on a car such as the Prius. I'm sure they were skeptical to even market a car such as a Prius V with the advanced technology package for $33,600.
Maybe they were trying to protect Lexus HS sales? Funny how the top of the Prius MSRP range happens to coincide with the HS starting price.
It's not TMS. It's Toyota Japan. No Prius sold anywhere in the world has the solar roof and 17" wheel combo. You can have the Tech Pack with the solar roof (like we have in Australia or in Canada although w/o LED headlights or fogs) ding ding ding! He's got it. It's a marketing (and potentially price) decision too. Hence the auto headlights, turn signal mirrors, HUD etc. I guess they figured you guys can benefit more from LKA given all the highway driving.
I don't recall anyone saying they did. The DOT comment was a hypothetical comment made by another poster, not a serious statement of fact. Tom