Toyota Launches Third-generation Prius Sales in Japan and New Second-Generation Model; Combined Target of 12,000 Units per Month
18 May 2009
Toyota began sales in Japan today of the third-generation Prius, with a monthly sales target for Japan of 10,000 units. The 2010 Prius starts at ¥2,050,000 (~US$21,400).
Toyota is also releasing a new grade of its second-generation Prius aimed mainly at fleet customers. The competitively priced EX Prius is to be sold through Toyota and Toyopet dealer channels, starting on June 8. The price is ¥1,890,000 (~US$19,749) and the total monthly sales target is 2,000 units.
Since its launch in 1997, the Prius has been sold in more than 40 countries and regions around the world, with cumulative sales having exceeded 1.25 million units as of March 31, 2009. The third-generation Prius will be released in stages in more than 80 countries and regions.
With over 80 000 Prius III pre-ordered in Japan, it seems that the planned 10 000 a month production will not catch up with local demand for 12+ MONTHS.
How will export demand be met? Worldwide demand may exceed production for many months unless production is quickly doubled or tripled.
That's a problem that most car manufacturers don't have these days.
Posted by: HarveyD | 18 May 2009 at 04:14 AM
According to a Japanese person I know, the press there says the waiting time is 5 months if you order now. Perhaps they have more capacity than 10,000 per month?
Posted by: drivin98 | 18 May 2009 at 06:11 AM
Read again guys, it states "SALES TARGET" of 10,000 per month for JAPAN not a production target of 10,000 units per month.
I don't remember their targets for the first year sales but it indicated much higher production than 10,000/month.
Posted by: Patrick | 18 May 2009 at 08:40 AM
I just found they expect to sell around 400,000 units per year so I'd expect their production to be aroung 33,000 units per month with some room to grow or cutback from that number.
Posted by: Patrick | 18 May 2009 at 11:23 AM