Prius self-charging version no longer available in UK?
Discussion
I was looking on the Toyota UK website and noticed that a few models are no longer listed.
One is the Corolla saloon - fair enough, it was quite a slow seller although the private hire drivers seemed to like them. Another is the Camry - not surprised, since the market for large non-luxury saloons in the UK is not great these days.
But there was also the original, self-charging version of the Prius. It's not listed any more. You can only get the plug-in version, which is a lot more £££.
That really surprised me, because where I live (SE London) they are everywhere. It's the standard car for private hire drivers. Toyota sell loads. My local dealer always had loads of them PDId and awaiting collection.
I know that a lot of private hire drivers moved to the Corolla, and the Corolla estate was probably stealing some Prius sales. Maybe that is the reason?
Do any Toyota dealers know more? Is it coming back? I believe that the all-new Prius is not due until next year...?
One is the Corolla saloon - fair enough, it was quite a slow seller although the private hire drivers seemed to like them. Another is the Camry - not surprised, since the market for large non-luxury saloons in the UK is not great these days.
But there was also the original, self-charging version of the Prius. It's not listed any more. You can only get the plug-in version, which is a lot more £££.
That really surprised me, because where I live (SE London) they are everywhere. It's the standard car for private hire drivers. Toyota sell loads. My local dealer always had loads of them PDId and awaiting collection.
I know that a lot of private hire drivers moved to the Corolla, and the Corolla estate was probably stealing some Prius sales. Maybe that is the reason?
Do any Toyota dealers know more? Is it coming back? I believe that the all-new Prius is not due until next year...?
AmitG said:
Thanks. I was pretty surprised since people still seem to buy them by the bucket load. I thought it might be an error on the website.
Any idea why they killed it in the UK? I'm just curious.
I'm hoping that the next-gen version comes to the UK, in self-charging guise...
Lack of sales, The other Hybrids in the range, Corolla in particular, have killed it (in the UK) Any idea why they killed it in the UK? I'm just curious.
I'm hoping that the next-gen version comes to the UK, in self-charging guise...
There's a strong demand for them used though!
For the Prius I imagine it’s because new hybrid Prius vehicles cannot be registered as taxis in London anymore so drivers are moving to plug in or electric vehicles. The Prius plug in has never been that popular due to the small boot size. Therefore used Prius which can still be registered as taxis will become very popular given they the excellent mileage and ease of driving.
If they could make a Corolla with a boot the size of the Prius then it would be perfect!
If they could make a Corolla with a boot the size of the Prius then it would be perfect!
I believe that the last of the Gen4 was available around June.
There are rumours that the Gen5 will be announced before the end of the year...I was toying with the idea of getting the new Civic but I've always had a soft spot for the Prius (owned 2 so far) and would be happy to wait a bit...
There are rumours that the Gen5 will be announced before the end of the year...I was toying with the idea of getting the new Civic but I've always had a soft spot for the Prius (owned 2 so far) and would be happy to wait a bit...
Save Ferris said:
There's a strong demand for them used though!
I just looked at the used prices for the Toyota Prius+ (7 seat version of Prius)."Strong" does not even begin to describe it. A 2 year old car with 20k miles is about £30k!
They are a standard choice for private hire drivers so I expect that is driving it.
IMHO Toyota are missing a massive trick by not having a hybrid MPV in the range. They should have brought the Estima or Crown over here.
I see your point about the self-charging hybrids, that one does seem like a missed opportunity.
But I don't think the Estima and the Crown are the right cars to bring over here, Renault first axed the Espace and then the Scenic due to low sales (I believe they're still going strong on the continent though)
The Crown is directly in competition with the 3-series and the A4 and we all know how being a better car can't beat the "German = amazing" marketing lies that the general UK populace swallow. (The vitriol there has nothing to do with owning a Crown and thinking they're amazing
)
But I don't think the Estima and the Crown are the right cars to bring over here, Renault first axed the Espace and then the Scenic due to low sales (I believe they're still going strong on the continent though)
The Crown is directly in competition with the 3-series and the A4 and we all know how being a better car can't beat the "German = amazing" marketing lies that the general UK populace swallow. (The vitriol there has nothing to do with owning a Crown and thinking they're amazing
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