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[Astrotraveler]

From Honda's configuration website:

Insight EX no options with delivery = $22010

From Toyota's configuration website:

Prius II no options with delivery = $23150

The difference is $1140. The post I was responding to claimed that you saved "thousands" by opting for an Insight. You are certainly not saving "thousands" buying the EX vs. a Prius II in the US. In Europe, however, you are saving thousands on the equivalent purchase (5000 Euros in France, for example).

I think that alone goes a long way towards explaining why there are robust Insight sales abroad and, in the wake of the 3d Generation prius' Debut in the US, a drop in Insight sales (September's US Insight sales were ~1700 units versus ~4200 units in August).

Put another way, the pricing of the Insight abroad makes it a better "value" versus the Prius than does the much closer pricing here in the US. I blame the weak dollar in part, but Toyota has to contend with that same dollar/yen exchange rate. Toyota's closer to parity pricing in the US suggests they are willing to lose margin to retain market share. That makes it harder for the consumer to opt for the Insight, IMO.

I wasn't aware that Toyota has ki-boshed the Prius I. Thanks for the update. Nonetheless, an extra $1140 financed adds very little to a monthly payment. This places both the EX and Prius II in the same household budgets, which is not true abroad.

In any event, I haven't ruled out an Insight, and in fact prefer it over the Prius II. I just don't want to be kicking myself six months from now if Honda either lowers the US Insight price (or offers incentives) or offers additional content and upgrades in the '11 model.

Virtually every Toyota dealer in my region (Northern California) are offering the Prius at MSRP without mark-up. Until the Prius arrived, Insights were actually being marked up by a few hundred dollars, however. Now, I see some discounting off of MSRP for the Insight.

Regards,

Jim