9,000+ Lexus Hybrid SUVs Presold - August Prius Sales Up 1,487% over 2003

[hatrack]

September 7, 2004 - Torrance, CA - "Lexus announced today that its dealers have received more than 9,000 pre-sold orders for the 2006 RX 400h luxury gas-electric hybrid SUV through August month-end. The RX 400h provides a powerful new performance dimension to the traditional hybrid advantages of high mileage and low emissions.

"We've received significantly more pre-launch orders for the 400h than we've had for any vehicle in our entire 15-year history," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager, Denny Clements. "Although we're pleased with the early public response to the 400h, we are mindful of our need to respond to these customers in a timely manner," he added."

EDIT

http://www.toyota.com/about/news/product/2004/09/07-1-rx400h.html

EDIT

The Toyota Division recorded August sales of 154,994, down 3.8 percent over last year's best-ever August. The Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan posted best-ever August sales of 4,393 units, an increase of 1,486.8 percent. The Sienna van led light trucks with best-ever August sales of 12,128 units, an increase of 60.9 percent, while the Land Cruiser full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) posted sales of 562 units, up 1.7 percent.

EDIT

http://www.toyota.com/about/news/product/2004/09/01-1-August-Sales.html

[fsbooks]

1. and who says the economy is not doing well!!

reminds me, I must call to see if the radiator is fixed yet in my 1988 ford taurus with 210000 miles.

[hatrack]

2. Yet strangely, Ford's having problems moving large SUVs . . . .

How bizarre! :eyes:

[phantom power]

3. I'd love to be a fly on the wall at the boardroom meetings for Ford and GM

If I worked in the auto industry, I'd be demanding some executive heads on a platter.

[Sarvis]

4. american hybrids

Chevy reportedly has a hybrid Silverado out now, but I have not (knowingly) seen one yet. I could sell about a zillion of those.

OK, ok, not a zillion, maybe, but a bunch, even here in rural, conservative, Western Colorado.

[phantom power]

5. There are a few American "mild" hybrids. But we're 7 years behind

the Japanese, in terms of market share and manufacturing capability.

Advantage in market share is nonlinear. For instance, next year Toyota and Honda will be able to deliver hundreds of thousands of hybrids. The American companies will be able to deliver a few thousand.

The year after that, the Japanese will probably be able to deliver millions of hybrids. The Americans will still be delivering in the thousands.

Being late to market by even a year is bad news. Seven years is a catastrophe. The Americans are already having trouble unloading their existing inventory. The availability of Japanese hybrids will make it even harder. So, not only are we playing catchup, we're going to be doing it in a harsh climate where the companies are having financial trouble.

Another way to put it: You could sell a zillion, but the Americans won't be able to make more than a few thousand. The Japanese *can* make a zillion, and they're going to sell them to all the customers that *might* have bought a Chevy hybrid, if they weren't seven years late.

[7 Lazy P]

6. Even if American manufacturers could deliver millions of hybrids

would anyone buy one, having a choice between a Toyota and a GM hybrid? American car-makers have ceded the the mid-size and small car market to the Japanese, preferring to concentrate on the more profitable large SUV and light duty truck market segments. Their mid-size and small cars are indifferent, to say the least. I would expect that trend to continue with American hybrids.

They had better watch out in the large SUV and light duty truck markets too - witness the success of the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan pickups, and the Toyota Sequoia SUV. If the Japanese can figure out how to make a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup, the game might be over for the big three.

[midnight armadillo]

7. It's a 'mild hybrid'

http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/previews,view,Chevrolet.spy?artid=25784

It uses tricks like shutting off the motor at idle and using its electric motor as a generator - a nice feature for contractors. Total fuel economy improvement is 10-12 percent. Not bad, but it's such an underwhelming attempt...give the Japanese 5 years and I'll wager they'll have full hybrid Tundras on the road using the electric motors to deliver ridiculous amounts of torque for towing.

[hatrack]

8. Extremely limited release on this version - maybe 250 at most

Similarly, D/C's planned hybrid pickup will amount to a hundred or so at most.