JimmyC:

 

Scott3:

 

 

 

... Could also pull a few sales from the likes of the outlander PHEV and Rav4 Prime.

 

 

Speaking of RAV 4 Prime, it looks like Toyota Australia won't be bringing it to the Oz market due to what they're picking as a significant price increase over the current RAV Hybrid models. They don't believe it will sell in other words. Anyone heard what plans (if any) Toyota NZ have? 

 

60km's battery only range would cover 90% of my driving, but if it is pitched in the $70k bracket the Ozzy's are right... I'd rather have a Tesla, or Ariya for that matter. 

 

 

 

Edit: typo... 

 

The Prime has the spec's to demand a decent price premium. It's the second fastest accelerating car in toyota's lineup (behind only that NZD101k 6 cylinder turbocharged Supra), has a decent electric range, along with the normal rav4 stuff (AWD, boot space, ground clearance etc).

In The USA Rav4 hybrid prices Range from $29,470 (LE) to $38000 (Limited), and the prime from $39,220 (SE) to $42,544 (XSE). (Note Toyota has option packages in the USA that have additional cost). Also note that in the USA this car has enough range to qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit, so will be quite compelling buying.

If we take the lowest spec's the price preimium is about 1/3. Rav4 GX Hybrid in NZ is $43,500 driveway. Increasing that by a third gives $58k.

If they can hit that price-point I think it will be a compelling offering.

I wouldn't read too much into the Aussie situation. Aussie have never been big EV fan's. A combination of high temperatures (bad for uncooled leaf battery packs), an expensive, dirty power gird, power supply issue in some states, cheaper fuel, unavailable of cheap used imports etc, have all aligned to them not being very popular.

Big issue with the Rav4 prime, is that it is going to be very difficult for anybody to get there hands on them. Apparently only 5000 units are going to the USA in the first year, and waitlists are largely already full (Toyota sells around 100,000 Rav4's in the USA annually.).

Europe is going to start fining automakers who can't get there average fleet emissions below a threshold, so naturally many automakers are prioritizing that market for their plug in products.

Will be interesting to see if NZ gets a reasonable allocation. Surprisingly we do seem to get a decent number of Kona's despite there being a global shortage, and minimal incentives here.