2023 Toyota Prius
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Alberta
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: Ohio
Are you referring to stocks? Stocks have poor liquid properties. Also just because one can see their resources, you're not seeing their debt, which pretty much negates all of their seeable resources.
This point doesn't hold either. You're saying that they are making cars for people that want good fuel economy, but why cater to these buyers? I'm a Lexus guy who wants a roaring V8! Why don't they listen to me?
It's blatantly cost cutting.
If it's new, it's somehow "better". Continuing to produce a well made product without changes doesn't mean there's less drive or motivation, it may just well mean that it was well engineered and that making it "new" has diminishing returns.
This point doesn't hold either. You're saying that they are making cars for people that want good fuel economy, but why cater to these buyers? I'm a Lexus guy who wants a roaring V8! Why don't they listen to me?
It's blatantly cost cutting.
If it's new, it's somehow "better". Continuing to produce a well made product without changes doesn't mean there's less drive or motivation, it may just well mean that it was well engineered and that making it "new" has diminishing returns.
What you actually own/tend to buy usually doesn't line up with what you say you want and companies do studies on this and KNOW most people talk big and don't actually want/buy the top dogs. That's why Lexus mostly makes 6s, they know the actual buyers will not go for 8s even when they are on offer.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2023
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From: Washington
Are you really a customer who wants a V8 though? Your current car is a 6, someone like me who owned(s) 3 of their V8 cars would be more able to make that statement.
What you actually own/tend to buy usually doesn't line up with what you say you want and companies do studies on this and KNOW most people talk big and don't actually want/buy the top dogs. That's why Lexus mostly makes 6s, they know the actual buyers will not go for 8s even when they are on offer.
What you actually own/tend to buy usually doesn't line up with what you say you want and companies do studies on this and KNOW most people talk big and don't actually want/buy the top dogs. That's why Lexus mostly makes 6s, they know the actual buyers will not go for 8s even when they are on offer.
The point that I was trying to make was why doesn't Toyota cater to me, but to those who wants to save fuel? And people wanting to save fuel is just one part of the spectrum of buyers. If everyone wanted a fuel saver, they wouldn't be buying trucks and SUVs. Toyota's is not a rich company with unlimited resources. They are broke. And their actions are in line with that. For crying out loud, they ditched their original target of buyers to chase the new younger crowd. A rich company has high self esteem. They don't care about others opinions and do what they want(because they can afford to)
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,644
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From: Maryland
The point that I was trying to make was why doesn't Toyota cater to me, but to those who wants to save fuel? And people wanting to save fuel is just one part of the spectrum of buyers. If everyone wanted a fuel saver, they wouldn't be buying trucks and SUVs. Toyota's is not a rich company with unlimited resources. They are broke. And their actions are in line with that. For crying out loud, they ditched their original target of buyers to chase the new younger crowd. A rich company has high self esteem. They don't care about others opinions and do what they want(because they can afford to)
They care about the opinion of the largest group of their potential buyers. Thats why EVERYBODY in the industry is moving to smaller engines with more fuel economy.
Toyota is absolutely not broke lol. You have no idea what you are talking about. They have $60B in cash on hand and are the second most valuable car company in the world, second only to Tesla.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,225
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From: Ohio
I could careless about the V8, sir.
The point that I was trying to make was why doesn't Toyota cater to me, but to those who wants to save fuel? And people wanting to save fuel is just one part of the spectrum of buyers. If everyone wanted a fuel saver, they wouldn't be buying trucks and SUVs. Toyota's is not a rich company with unlimited resources. They are broke. And their actions are in line with that. For crying out loud, they ditched their original target of buyers to chase the new younger crowd. A rich company has high self esteem. They don't care about others opinions and do what they want(because they can afford to)
The point that I was trying to make was why doesn't Toyota cater to me, but to those who wants to save fuel? And people wanting to save fuel is just one part of the spectrum of buyers. If everyone wanted a fuel saver, they wouldn't be buying trucks and SUVs. Toyota's is not a rich company with unlimited resources. They are broke. And their actions are in line with that. For crying out loud, they ditched their original target of buyers to chase the new younger crowd. A rich company has high self esteem. They don't care about others opinions and do what they want(because they can afford to)
You are indeed someone who just wants to save fuel if you don't own a V8 GS. They are 100% catering to you since that is exactly what you buy, they don't cater to people like me who actually truly don't care about MPG and want massive, powerful engines.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
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From: Maryland
On this particular model, but it also maximizes fuel economy.
You will see sedans and vehicles like this continuing to go to style as a differentiating factor. The “Prius faithful” have long since moved on to EVs, they have to have a selling proposition for the car. Same is true of sedans, everybody buys crossovers you have to give people some reason to buy a sedan, and it’s styling and sportiness or it’s fuel economy.
You will see sedans and vehicles like this continuing to go to style as a differentiating factor. The “Prius faithful” have long since moved on to EVs, they have to have a selling proposition for the car. Same is true of sedans, everybody buys crossovers you have to give people some reason to buy a sedan, and it’s styling and sportiness or it’s fuel economy.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 558
Likes: 131
From: NJ/FL
As a long time 2010 Prius owner, I was happy that the gen 5 Prius has been updated design wise, and given a hell of a power boost - I think almost 100 hp from previous gen, without really hurting fuel efficiency much. I think it looks better than the gen 4, and will attract new buyers who are normally not into the model.
The model has been declining in sales over time, due mostly to the hybridization of the various Toyota and Lexus models. So instead of being the one and only hybrid (or at least the major one), people could now just buy hybrid Corollas and Camrys and RAV4s, etc. The other major factor was the preference of many people for CUVs and SUVs, so the fact you could now get a RAV4 hybrid was a big deal (a CUV AND a hybrid!). This redesign would help at least keep sales stable and even higher.
Personally, I have a few issues with the gen 5 (and if I had to choose between a new gen 3 and a new gen 5, I would actually unhesitatingly pick the gen 3).
1. It seemingly has less cargo space than the older versions. My gen 3 was amazing when it came to stuffing things into it. You can camp in it, as me and my wife have done several times. People have even lived in their gen 2s or 3s, some for years!
2. The roof is lower down, so interior cabin is also less spacious for people
3. The design is not one that will make it easy to spot one on the road. It does not stand out. It basically looks like any other sporty car out there. Notwithstanding all the design awards it has won, so obviously I might be an outlier in this view.
4. The sloping front windshield and smaller windows will probably make it feel more cramped inside.
I have not been inside one though, so perhaps when I have done that I'll have more thoughts and add them here.
The model has been declining in sales over time, due mostly to the hybridization of the various Toyota and Lexus models. So instead of being the one and only hybrid (or at least the major one), people could now just buy hybrid Corollas and Camrys and RAV4s, etc. The other major factor was the preference of many people for CUVs and SUVs, so the fact you could now get a RAV4 hybrid was a big deal (a CUV AND a hybrid!). This redesign would help at least keep sales stable and even higher.
Personally, I have a few issues with the gen 5 (and if I had to choose between a new gen 3 and a new gen 5, I would actually unhesitatingly pick the gen 3).
1. It seemingly has less cargo space than the older versions. My gen 3 was amazing when it came to stuffing things into it. You can camp in it, as me and my wife have done several times. People have even lived in their gen 2s or 3s, some for years!
2. The roof is lower down, so interior cabin is also less spacious for people
3. The design is not one that will make it easy to spot one on the road. It does not stand out. It basically looks like any other sporty car out there. Notwithstanding all the design awards it has won, so obviously I might be an outlier in this view.
4. The sloping front windshield and smaller windows will probably make it feel more cramped inside.
I have not been inside one though, so perhaps when I have done that I'll have more thoughts and add them here.
Last edited by asj2024; Apr 23, 2024 at 07:16 AM.