Or not. The Prius sets a new single month sales number... 19156! Read more about it here. It looks like Ghosen and the other execs were right. Hybrids just aren't selling without tax credits. They're just a fad.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ Apr 3 2007, 11:27 PM) [snapback]417473[/snapback]</div> haha. I can't speak for Canada since we've just added a $2,000 federal tax rebate for the HCH and Prius, $1,500 for TCH/Altima and $1,000 for RXh and HiHy (along with the Yaris and Corolla 5M). That means in BC, you can get up to $4,000 back if you buy a Prius ($2k from the Feds, $2k from the prov gov't). The HCH ends up with no tax b/c the GST/PST paid is less than $2k each.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 4 2007, 01:42 AM) [snapback]417483[/snapback]</div> Here in The Netherlands the scheme has changed in 2006. We now get US$ 8014 (6000 euro) back if you buy a Prius or Honda Civic Hybrid. haha !
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Arnold @ Apr 4 2007, 12:55 AM) [snapback]417506[/snapback]</div> nice to see that the Euro gov't has followed suit.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 4 2007, 07:21 PM) [snapback]417885[/snapback]</div> How about this tidbit...Tax incentives in the US are cut in half on Oct 1, 2006...sales jump by 50% thereafter!!! Tax incentives are cut by an additional 50% on April 1, 2007...... sales?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ Apr 4 2007, 01:27 AM) [snapback]417473[/snapback]</div> Tripp, with all due respect aren't you jumping the gun just a bit. It was only one month wasn't it? Weren't Prius sales down a little in February? I am not infering they are a fad, I just think one big month in the initial phase of cash back from toyota might be a little premature to claim a huge victory. I think in the long-term the sales trends for Prius sales will be very dependent on gas prices. Who knows I may be wrong?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(malorn @ Apr 4 2007, 07:38 PM) [snapback]417930[/snapback]</div> No, Feb was a previous record for sales (~12K). You might be right about gas prices. Still, 19K in one month (over a 50% increase from the previous month) is substantial. The Camry hybrid also had a big month. Besides, gas prices are on the up and up but they're no where near where they were at the end of '05.
Is Toyota the one "claim[ing] and huge victory"? Or is this just someone reporting the numbers? The sales of hybrids is very tied to people's pain at the gas pump. There is no denying that. But even those who purchase exclusively on gas prices have purchased the car. They could have bought a Yaris, or an Aveo, or a conventional Civic, but they bought a hybrid. Probably for a price higher than that of a Yaris. We can debate it all we want, but the numbers over the last eight years have shown that more and more hybrids are purchased every year.
Bought my Prius because I was sick and tired of providing wealthy oil companies with even more money. I think it is disgusting how they are ripping off the american population and posting record sales! Still kept my SUV as it is needed for the toys on occasion, but it absolutely grinds my gears to give those bastards any more money. I know my local dealer lots have a ton of Prius's but just wait till gas is topping out over 3$ a gallon and I think everyone will be running again to the dealerships..I am guessing gas in PA will be about $3.25 this summer for 87 as it is already at $2.78!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Apr 4 2007, 09:22 PM) [snapback]417978[/snapback]</div> Actually, Tony, I am Toyota and I'm claiming VICTORY! SWEET VICTORY!! OK, maybe not. I find it interesting that this March was so substantially bigger in terms of sales. Gas prices aren't THAT high right now. I'm curious to see how the rest of the year goes. My excitement isn't the result of a "Victory" for Toyota. Toyota is a corporation like any other. It does things in its own best interest. I'm chuffed because hybrids are doing well and they're a great first step towards dealing with a number of problems on our plate.
