Interesting, but if it's better for the consumer I'm all for it!

Batman:

 

Interesting, but if it's better for the consumer I'm all for it!

 

Do we know that for sure though? It may benefit those who never  bother negotiating a deal, and just pay the sticker price. But my last new car, I managed to get around 25% off by negotiating. It is a traditional kiwi and ozzie thing to do, to negotiate on the price of a car (we don't tend to do it in shops apart from appliance shops). So this new approach means that they may drop the price on all models, but doesn't that mean that the prices had a lot of fat in them prior to this? Will be interesting to see how it goes. Many new cars are lease and fleet anyway, and many others purchase loans to buy, which is another revenue stream for dealers. So it may not have that much effect, but will be interesting to see if others follow.

gzt: Toyota like everyone else eventually need to sell cars on the net. They may well have a formula for crediting demonstrating dealers for those sales for some time yet if not forever, and dealers also get the benefit of selling services. The bottom line is Toyota cannot do that unless consumers are confident they are getting the best price buying that way.

Except people still want to test drive cars. I think the only way I could buy the toyota 86 was to buy it online, but I didn't think I was getting the best price that way, nor could I test drive it locally, so they lost a sale. I do however like toyotas in terms of their rock solid reliability, having owned a rav4 for over 10 years.  But they aren't exactly an Apple iOS device(iPad esp), or DJI mavic or spark drone, where their only real competition is themselves. Toyota has strong competition with other brands, which are potentially more exciting to drive.

I hate haggling, partly because I'm no good at it, but also because I never really know how much my next car is actually going to cost. This makes budgeting very difficult, since vehicle depreciation is a significant chunk of my budget.

Stuff: Highlander GX is now $54,990, a reduction of $9900 over the previous RRP. A Hilux 4x4 SR5 double cab has dropped from $62,990 to a TDP of $53,490 (down $9200). A RAV4 GX 2WD is $32,990 ($5000), the Corolla GX $27,990 ($5300) or a Yaris SX is now $23,990 ($1500).

alasta:

 

I hate haggling, partly because I'm no good at it, but also because I never really know how much my next car is actually going to cost. This makes budgeting very difficult, since vehicle depreciation is a significant chunk of my budget.

 

So do I. However I have learnt to be more assertive and have learnt a lot of the tips from youtube, because you can save thousands. The Aussies tend to be really good at it I noticed. The thing is that most sticker prices are generally negotiable, you just have to ask. I even saw someone negotiating at the warehouse and got a discount, but you can also do the same with price matching.

Toyota New Zealand vehicle sales soar to new annual record, lifts revenue.

While not directly related (correlation, causation not implied) the company seems to be on the way up.

Although I see their profit was very similar. I think their hybrid cars will be quite strong, as people and business go more green.

I like haggling and usually get good deals.  But in reality this will have no impact on me.  There aren't many Toyota car I like (they are too stingy with the fruit) and the ones that I like I can't afford.

I wonder with the prices being fixed if they will start to offer competitive finance rates.  That's what Honda do - I've seen them advertise rates below 1%.

It's a bold move - a lot of kiwis love bargaining for something, even if for nothing more than 'feeling' like they're getting a better deal. Hope it works out for Toyota...