GasBuddy Blog

GasBuddy News Article

votes

Toyota Prius Escapes Niche to Surge Into Global Top Three

Bloomberg -- Prius, a niche oddity when it went on sale 15 years ago, jumped to the world’s third best-selling car line in the first quarter as U.S. demand and incentives in Japan turned the hybrid into a mainstream hit.

Prius sales more than doubled as Toyota extended the name to a four-model “family” of vehicles at the same time that rebates and tax breaks in Japan are saving buyers the equivalent of $2,500 or more. In the quarter, sales soared to 247,230, trailing only Toyota’s Corolla, at 300,800, and Ford Motor Co. (F)’s 277,000 Focus sales.

Read the Full Article

Submitted May 29, 2012 By: NO_SWEAT

Back To News

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics	Add to favorite topics

Author	Topic: Toyota Prius Escapes Niche to Surge Into Global Top Three	Post a Reply Back to Topics

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 31, 2012 4:51:34 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse 2g: how do you figure? Toyota is a Japanese-based company.
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,003 Points:598,710 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 30, 2012 12:22:00 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
2gjh Champion Author North Dakota Posts:3,174 Points:2,447,600 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: May 30, 2012 8:16:23 AM Ignore 2gjh Report Abuse Tax dollars buying votes for Obama
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,032 Points:2,346,485 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 30, 2012 2:23:27 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Toyota Prius? Oddity? 15 Years? Global Top Three? I will drive my current vehicle into the ground before buying anything new, used, EV, Inbred, diesel, hydrogen, alternative fuel, CNG, concept or anything else. I will drive my current vehicle into the ground before buying anything new, used, EV, Inbred, diesel, hydrogen, alternative fuel, CNG, concept or anything else. My current vehicle was paid for many years ago and works just fine! Why have another car payment in 'coming out of the closet' Barry's very lousy economy. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost, if possible. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
themaninthehat Champion Author New Orleans Posts:1,824 Points:472,265 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:42:25 PM Ignore themaninthehat Report Abuse Progress
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:7,131 Points:1,356,655 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:25:03 PM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse just come out with a Hybrid passenger minivan!
toytech3 All-Star Author Chicago Posts:917 Points:610,820 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:12:50 PM Ignore toytech3 Report Abuse Probably the best hybrid out there
dancygreen Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,063 Points:485,760 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:12:43 PM Ignore dancygreen Report Abuse ok
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,223 Points:518,850 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:12:26 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse I'd be interested to know how many current Prius owners will buy another one.
camaro_man Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,232 Points:611,795 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:12:17 PM Ignore camaro_man Report Abuse wow
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,659 Points:2,360,945 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:09:23 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse It may seem the way to go for now, until the plug in comes along.
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,575 Points:2,446,110 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:09:05 PM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse watch out for those loose brakes and floormats...
nomad228 Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,117 Points:575,140 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:06:57 PM Ignore nomad228 Report Abuse they can give me one then i can sell it for a chevy truck. : )
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,697 Points:539,020 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:04:05 PM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse More Greenspeak!
gus8441 Champion Author Baltimore Posts:2,119 Points:443,800 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:03:40 PM Ignore gus8441 Report Abuse i am considering one
1tallford Sophomore Author Rhode Island Posts:128 Points:22,225 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 11:03:15 PM Ignore 1tallford Report Abuse My opinion, the Prius is not that cost effective. Think its more of a cult following.
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:10,901 Points:2,132,580 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:59:46 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse ok
bif65 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,023 Points:195,480 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:58:33 PM Ignore bif65 Report Abuse ok
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,507 Points:603,450 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:55:05 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse It also took 15 years.
livedream Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,685 Points:755,060 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:50:56 PM Ignore livedream Report Abuse Not so much of an oddity anymore -- Sales will continue increase in this market.... From the article: "It proves Prius wasn’t a fluke, that there’s a long-term market for hybrids,” said Eric Noble, president of the Car Lab, an automotive consultancy in Orange, California." This seems to be the case, so far...Time will tell.
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,650 Points:1,211,830 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:48:38 PM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Okay, so....
USAv8tor Veteran Author Long Island Posts:348 Points:138,665 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:48:26 PM Ignore USAv8tor Report Abuse No, thank you. I'm not interested in a Prius, ever.
LCSTEELERBOB Champion Author Gary Posts:2,961 Points:720,130 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:45:38 PM Ignore LCSTEELERBOB Report Abuse great i guess
stopforgas All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:996 Points:481,705 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:43:36 PM Ignore stopforgas Report Abuse intersting
papa56NC All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:725 Points:142,760 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:42:28 PM Ignore papa56NC Report Abuse Alright!!!
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:8,517 Points:1,367,440 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:40:52 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse The Ford Focus is outselling the Prius even though it is not a "four-model family of vehicles".
savannahoaks Champion Author Rockford Posts:2,697 Points:635,985 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:40:29 PM Ignore savannahoaks Report Abuse If they gave tax breaks and rebates for a Fiat, it would be the best selling foreign car in America.
carloco75 Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,716 Points:600,365 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:40:28 PM Ignore carloco75 Report Abuse Maybe it would sell better if it wasn't a space ship...
kc58veteran Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,526 Points:587,355 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:40:19 PM Ignore kc58veteran Report Abuse TOYOTA PRIUS = YUPPIE ENVIRO CAR NUT VOTE TO CLEAN OUT WASHINGTON IN 2012!
tippybuddy Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,523 Points:207,740 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:37:52 PM Ignore tippybuddy Report Abuse I thought it would be first not third
GassyKat Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:10,079 Points:2,069,170 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:36:52 PM Ignore GassyKat Report Abuse Surprising
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:8,517 Points:1,367,440 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:36:15 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse I own a car outright that averages 36 mpg. I doubt I would live long enough to hit break even if I were to abandon it and buy a Prius.
LostToo Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,392 Points:975,315 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:35:06 PM Ignore LostToo Report Abuse N/A
IUVidiot Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,590 Points:709,435 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:27:58 PM Ignore IUVidiot Report Abuse ok
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,090 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:24:26 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse AKmailman said, "it's the gen x car. real people drive real cars." You guys actually have roads to drive on in Alaska? I thought everyone got around on seaplanes.
boatmen Champion Author New York Posts:3,085 Points:622,805 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:23:49 PM Ignore boatmen Report Abuse wow wide range of posts on a simple Article just stating info
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,090 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:22:24 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse So tell me, KMJ17, where does the money that supports the Republican Party come from? Bake sales?
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,212 Points:872,740 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:21:50 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse Bigoilscamsus get real, can you really think such an idea has any credibility?
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,071 Points:1,732,210 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:21:47 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse good for them
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,090 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:20:31 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse letterchunker said, "Money still goes to japan, buy totally American." That totally American car probably gets 10mpg less than the Japanese one. Remember that 50% of the oil we use is imported, so even if you're buying American, you're not DRIVING American. If the Big Three can build a car that gets both 50mpg in the city and on the highway, then we can talk.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,927 Points:1,575,955 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:19:22 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse still a niche car
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,090 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:15:52 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse RBob said, "TDI vs. Prius I will take the diesel any day." The Prius runs on 87 octane which is 75 cents/gal cheaper than diesel and gets better mileage in the city than a TDI for the same price premium as a diesel. Thanks, but I'll keep my Prius.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,090 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:12:22 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse The GMC pick-up still hasn't been perfected, pickledude72. They can always do better. Until then, stick with a horse and cart for hauling loads. The moral of the story is, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."
vcsuksu21 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,473 Points:707,005 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:11:05 PM Ignore vcsuksu21 Report Abuse Ok
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,090 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:09:25 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Here's an idea, bigoilscamsus. Get everyone to light their cars on fire on June 1st, to protest high gas prices. That way, the protesters can't drive to the gas station on June 2nd, and fill up their tanks.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,090 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:07:25 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse So what do you consider a foreign automaker, CPGas1815? GM and Ford cars sold here are assembled in Canada and Mexico. European, Japanese, and Korean carmakers have factories all over the U.S. Buy the best built and best valued car for your money.
bigoilscamsus Champion Author Lansing Posts:1,058 Points:48,265 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:06:53 PM Ignore bigoilscamsus Report Abuse Protest high gas prices and price fixing! -- any gas priced above $2.50 per gallon -- Picket the 15 highest priced gas stations in your area!! Join the protest at the WALK ON WASHINGTON and at all the other State Capitals on Friday June 1st 2012!! Bring your protest signs and let Big Oil know what you think of the obscene profits that Big Oil extorts from the American consumer!! The protest runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm ! Together we can make a difference!! See you in the protest line!!
big_mac64 Champion Author Tennessee Posts:10,593 Points:1,485,690 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:06:21 PM Ignore big_mac64 Report Abuse Give me a Ford any day...my money stays in the USA!
spedygonzales All-Star Author Toronto Posts:923 Points:465,295 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:05:21 PM Ignore spedygonzales Report Abuse ok
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,090 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 29, 2012 10:04:37 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Gotta disagree, WillyG. GM is not making any profit off of the Volt. It's more of a technology showpiece to give Chevy some green credibility. It's main competitor is the Prius Plug-In which is priced less than the Volt but at almost $40k, is still pretty expensive and it has a much shorter EV-only rage than the Volt.