Limited availability of Lexus RX450h in the Southeast
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Limited availability of Lexus RX450h in the Southeast
California sites seem to have a good supply of the hybrids but they have become scarce in the Southeast. Is it because of the lower price of gas or are hybrids less profitable for Toyota to manufacture?
#2
First of all, no. Hybrids are not that much less profitable for Toyota to manufacture. Toyota and Honda both claimed (back in 2010) that they make about $3,000 per hybrid vehicle. This is about the same as a gasoline car. Now, things are probably even better on that front. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...it-per-vehicle
Secondly, some (not all) people in the Southeast don't buy into the green mentality. Deeply conservative states tend to shy away from hybrids because they are perceived as "weak" and "pansy". A 2014 KBB study found that only 20% of southerners consider a hybrid for their next car purchase. http://www.autoblog.com/photos/most-...#slide-2139015
Third, the average annual income. People in the Southeast just don't earn that much. Lower income means less willingness to pay the premium for hybrid technology. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ates_by_income
Fourth, average gas prices are dirt cheap! Lucky you guys! Where is gas the most expensive in the US...California, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska. The cheapest...Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi. Lower gas prices hurt hybrid sales big time. https://www.gasbuddy.com/GasPriceMap...12724324093085
Please don't think I'm bashing the Southeast, I'm just reporting what I have read and seen in the years. And, just to be safe, I've been Google fact-checking myself. Seeing as you are in Florida, I'm not too surprised you are having trouble finding a hybrid. I know most dealerships here in Ohio have only one or two on their lot. Of all the states in the Southeast, I would think Florida would have the most RX 450h!
#4
Yeah...now that I think about it, $3000 does seem too low. Maybe for a Yaris, but not a Lexus. Especially considering how Porsche makes about $20k per vehicle they sell. I wonder how much Lexus makes when they sell an RX 450h!?!? Any ideas?
#5
I would guess for my $65k 450h, $25k to build it, $20k for the dealer, and $20k for the manufacturer.
#7
Pole Position
I was happy to find a 2017 Luxury Caviar Luxury 450h with ivory interior and it will be coming home today!
Last edited by ggebhardt; 02-12-17 at 10:46 AM.
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#8
here in nebraska, it hard to find an 450h with the options you like as well...lots of low to mid option x350 instead.
#9
Pole Position
Dealer make more on reselling your used our used car than the new one you bought. I would be surprised if the dealer made more than $3k to $4k on a loaded RX. If you look around they got one heck of a lot of overhead.
Last edited by ggebhardt; 02-13-17 at 02:06 AM.
#11
Pole Position
The dealers in Jacksonville is showing 4-5 of the 450h units, some in colors other than black or white.
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