Can the Toyota Prius c Compete With Econoboxes?
The Toyota Prius c kicked off sales in mid-March at a blistering pace, selling 1,201 cars in just three days. By contrast, it took Toyota all month to sell as many Scion iQ minicars. April marked the Prius c's first full month of sales, and we expected big results.
It turns out Toyota delivered a modest 4,006 units of the sub-$19,000 hatchback. The Prius v added another 3,847 sales to the nameplate in April, while the Prius Plug-in found 1,654 shoppers.
The Prius Plug-in outsold the Chevy Volt despite a veritable pittance of hype about its release compared with the blitz surrounding the Volt. The similarly hyped Nissan Leaf managed sales of just 370 units.
So if a plug-in version of the Prius can leapfrog its competition — albeit a small field — can the Prius c compete against traditional economy cars?
April 2012 Sales: Entry-Level Cars
• Kia Soul: 10,716
• Nissan Versa: 8,335
• Chevrolet Sonic: 6,387
• Hyundai Accent: 6,160
• Ford Fiesta: 5,135
• Toyota Yaris: 4,274
• Kia Rio: 4,006
• Toyota Prius c: 4,006
• Fiat 500: 3,849
• Honda Fit: 3,202
A handful of bit players — the Scion xB, xD and iQ, the Nissan Cube, the Smart ForTwo — sold fewer than 2,000 units apiece. The Prius c beat those, but Toyota dealers will need to crank up supply for shoppers to start biting. Cars.com's new-car inventory has just 927 examples nationally, versus 7,721 regular Prius models.
Perhaps as gas prices continue plateauing at higher prices each year like they have in the recent past, a 50 mpg Prius c may seem more attractive to shoppers than cars with lower figures on the window sticker. If the original Prius became a best-seller as an alternative to midsize sedans, it's possible the Prius c could do the same to subcompacts.
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I wanted a Prius C until I sat in one.
The over the shoulder visibility is terrible.
A few things are hurting Prius C sales...poor dealer inventory, minimal advertising and dealer mark ups.
I reckon in about 5 years time electric cars will be available at a price that is realistic.
I ordered a Prius C3 in April, delivered early June. I was told the Prius C is selling so well in Japan they have pulled from the U.S. market to keep up demand. Love the car, with 50+ mpg, can't be beat. I also own a Honda Fit, thought it was great on gas (39-43 mpg) manual trans, the Prius excells. Prius has chaanged my driving style for both vehicles. Recommend it if you are looking for economy. It is a small car and therefore you get road noise.
The Prius can compete with anything that others can dish out. That bad boy is the future! I tell you, its the future, aaaah!!!