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These two competing cars aim at very, very different markets. Forbes' breathless prediction of Toyota's hybrid market demise is a myopic opinion piece and a str
by jackhack 8y ago
These two competing cars aim at very, very different markets. Forbes' breathless prediction of Toyota's hybrid market demise is a myopic opinion piece and a stretch of wishful thinking.
The lower-tier Prius' are profoundly less expensive than even the mythical base-model Model 3 (which the article points out, isn't available; Tesla has said they hope to offer the base model by the end of the year). A 2017/2018 Toyota Prius can be driven off the lot for $20,000. The Model 3s that have been sold are $40,000+. That makes A Prius Prime plug-in hybrid the most direct competitor. I trust the sales figures quoted are accurate.
But there's more to it: Price, availability, utility, and maintainability are big considerations once you leave the ultra-luxury price range (100k+) that is Tesla's core market. The Toyota wins in all these aspects, in my opinion. Where Toyota does not compete is the "status symbol" market.
- Alex3917 8y ago> A 2017/2018 Toyota Prius can be driven off the lot for $20,000. The Model 3s that have been sold are $40,000+. The Prius is basically the best car on the market if what you care about is the combination of safety, mileage, and cost. Until the model 3 able to pass the NHTSA safety testing, I don't see Tesla being able to make any serious inroads into the core Prius demographic. FWIW this is their current 'rating': https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/TESLA/MODEL%2525203/4%252520DR/RWD https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/TESLA/MODEL%2525203/4%252...
- almost_usual 8y agoIt also has two decades of being a proven reliable vehicle. Who knows what issues might creep up with the Model 3 in the span of twenty years. The other thing consumers don't realize is how hard it is right now to get replacement parts for these vehicles. I have a friend who was rear ended at a stop sign who purchased a Model 3 a month ago. They have no idea when they're going to get in the replacement bumper for their vehicle. The entire market is unpredictable and new. If you are replacing a daily driver with a Model 3 it feels like a gamble.
- thenewwazoo 8y agoNHTSA hasn't crash-rated the car, but the IIHS has: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/tesla/model-3-4-door-sedan http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/tesla/model-3-4-d...
- Alex3917 8y agoThe page you linked to shows that the IIHS hasn't crash rated the car. The only thing 'rated' was front crash prevention. None of the six crash tests they normally do were conducted.
- PhantomGremlin 8y agoForbes' breathless prediction of Toyota's hybrid market demise is a myopic opinion piece and a stretch of wishful thinking. You're railing against a dark pattern. "Forbes" didn't write this, a "Forbes Contributor" wrote it. Much different. Here's an explanation: https://www.joshsteimle.com/writing/how-being-a-forbes-contributor-works.html https://www.joshsteimle.com/writing/how-being-a-forbes-contr... Basically they allow bloggers to publish on Forbes. Unpaid. With no pre-publish editing.
- jackhack 8y agoGreat catch. You're right, I completely missed that and probably wouldn't have made the distinction even if I had seen it. I will now, and in the future, though.
- smsm42 8y agoAnd then some people are surprised why the trust in the press is declining... If you sell something, usually the amount you are left with declines.
- clircle 8y agoAgree, except I think certain Toyotas are status symbols. It's why I see so many high trim 4runners and a few land cruisers around the DC area.