Once Chevy introduces the Cobalt in Japan Toyota and Honda won’t know what hit them.

Like country, like car market

This is really a no-brainer. Prius is lightyears ahead of Insight in terms of quality and sophistication. The insight is just for those folks who want to look “green” without actually getting any of the benefits.

Not much of a surprise there
They should be able to sell 10k a month consistently, given the amount of pre-orders, and the relative superiority of the Prius
DrFill

@DrPheel
” and the relative superiority of the Prius”

For a lot of people, $2000 is a make or break when buying a car. Honda is well situated with the Insight.

@RaineMan
“The insight is just for those folks who want to look “green” without actually getting any of the benefits.”

Please explain this remark. The last time I looked the Insight gets over 40 MPG in both city and highway driving and it is the first Honda hybrid capable of self-motivation with only the electric motor.

@MRN
I hope to God they only send stripper LT models. The SS may cause heart palpitations over there.

How can you discuss sales practices and success of a car in Japan? Anyone ever been to Japan? Anyone ever drove at least one of those cars? Granted, Prius is more technologically advanced, Insight had a different goal from inception: affordability. Both cars should sell well in Japan: most common highway speed about 36 mph and Japanese love electronic gizmos.

You can always count on Dr, Phill to be PRO Toyota. Toyota can’t fail, always wins, is the greatest, and now “superiority of the Prius”… Not much of a suprise HERE. Gees… Go deal on one now at your Toyota dealer and see the side sticker…no suprise HERE either. Honda has PRICE superiority here. Sometimes price matters. Has anyone seen the new Prius’s TV commercials yet?? They are very creapy at best.

jdasch1you’re close. Creepy was the GM ad that aired during game one of the NBA finals last night. They must have the greatest media department on the planet to have come up with something that slick in only 4 days since going into BK. Almost makes you wonder if they weren’t given a little advance notice.

BTW, go Lakers!

I really don’t care much for Toyota I would rather have a Honda as The Big T has become complacent and arrogant these days.

jd
I am pro-Honda too, and have owned Hondas
But Honda has fallen off the design wagon lately

The Insight is good
But as the saying goes
You get what you pay for

I vote better over cheaper

Anybody who calls Toyota complacent forgets Toyota has invested Billions in Hybrids, and taught the
market, and the competition, alot about engineering innovation, efficiency, and guts

Toyota stands at the top of Mt. Who’sYourDaddy.
You say no
Toyota says Yes
Toyota is right
Again

Toyota is THE most respected maker in the US for these reasons
DrFill

DrTool is spouting off about Toyawnta again. What else is new?

johnny:
I missed the GM ad what was it about and what made it creepy?

Caddy-V, it was all about the ‘new’ GM. One line went something like ‘there was a time when 8 brands made sense but now we’re going to be stronger with 4′ etc etc.. The background montage had everything from cars (naturally) to football games. It was slickly produced, about a minute long and no way in the name of all things holy did they dream this up in less than a week. I tell you, we make some pretty good syrup up here but this was thick.

Mayer needs his bib
DrFill

So Mr roboto likes roboto car. Does anyone here know if the Japs are offering incentives to consumers to buy these Hybrids or are they concerned about eco? Does anyone know if the rumors are true about the Prius coming with its own seal club and a special knife designed to cut off sharks fin.

shaver, laws in Japan require either expensive car overhaul after 2 years or a new ride. Majority of middle class goes for a new ride since overhaul is extremely expensive. The salesman comes to the house and discusses new deal. it is different society. BTW, they need cars in the city like hole in the head: parking is as expensive as an apartment, and you can walk faster. majority of population are city dwellers.

johnny:
Thanks for the heads up. Do you think the ad will work?

Caddy-V, OK first of all I have to admit I was particularly vulnerable as in not entirely sober and therefore bright shiny objects hold a greater appeal, but even my wife who was watching in the den yelled out “did you see that?” after it aired. People will notice it and they will talk about it just as we are and that in itself makes it effective.

Let’s just say the pre-game intro for the Lakers at the Staples Center was slick but it paled in comparison to this.

Fill, M.D.

So you’re implying that Toyota’s designs are generally better than Honda’s? Really?

Still think the new Prius looks like the Aztek.

Asimo
No
I’m flat out saying the Prius is a better hybrid than the Insight
And Honda designs have taken a noticable step back over the last few years
DrFill

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

but only a mother could say a toyota (any toyota!) is beautiful

and while i’d prefer a honda

i can’t say they’ve been the best looking vehicles of late, either

except maybe the accord coupe

and yes, i know the prius gets better mileage than the insight

but i really don’t care

I think I’m going to buy a new prius for the wife. Then “we” can be green but I can still drive my 20mpg VR6 and actually enjoy driving.