A Toyota press release bragging about the achievements of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid variant since it went arrived in U.S. showrooms at the end of February states that the EPA-rated 95 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) Japanese hatchback has delivered 6,061 units in its first six months (March through August) on sale.
However, that's not what caught our attention; this is what did and we quote Toyota's press statement:
"This sales figure represents sales momentum that has propelled the Prius Plug-in to a stronger first full six-months sales pace (6,061 units) than Chevrolet Volt Plug-in (2,745 units) and the all-electric Nissan Leaf (3,875 units)."
At a first glance, the problem is with Toyota's numbers and more specifically the Volt's sales as according to General Motors, the Chevrolet model has delivered 13,497 units from the beginning of the year including 2,831 in August alone.
Even if we remove the Volt's January (603 units) and February (1,023 units) sales, it still comes on top at 11,871 deliveries (March through August).
As for the Leaf, Nissan says it has sold 4,228 units from January through August in the States, which are reduced to 3,074 if we take out the months of January (676 units) and February (478 units).
So what’s going on here; did Toyota mess up on the numbers? The answer is no. You see (get ready for an "ah ha" moment), what Toyota is referring to is the initial 6-month deliveries of the Volt and the Leaf when they first entered the U.S. market, not this year's sales...
Not only this isn't very clear in the press statement, but Toyota is also comparing apples to oranges since the Prius Plug-in hybrid is just another addition to the very successful Prius series (164,408 total U.S sales from January through August), while both the Leaf and the Volt are two brand new models with far more sophisticated technology that can scare the masses away, especially when they first arrived in the market.
12 Comments:
So rather than do the normal thing and compare sales per month and per year, Toyota says it's okay to use competitors sales data from nearly 2 years ago to compare to their present day Prius sales numbers.
For instance, the crashing non-issue Lexus HS 250 was a sales success becasue its total unit sales outsold the Honda Civic Hybrid durring its first 3 weeks!
That's pretty dishonest. If you're going to pick and choose which time frames to pull sales numbers from, why even bother comparing 6 months of sales? Why not just brag, "Prius Plug-In sells more cars in first 6 months than a whole year of Volt and Leaf combined (in 1994)!" The Volt basically doubled the sales of the Plug-In Prius, and both the Volt and Leaf are leagues more advanced--and pricey--than the plug-in that goes a whopping 11 miles max at up to 53mph once you charge it (and then becomes a regular Prius).
Toyota should go into politics.. all politicians are liars...!
There is nothing confusing about Toyota's press statement. It is obvious that it is comparing the first six months sales figures of the three cars mentioned, which gives an idea of the initial sales traction of each of the three products. Yes, Toyota has an advantage in the Prius already being a known entity. But the chances are that they will only continue to build on this early traction, and I see nothing to object to in what they have stated.
The Prius Plug-in is only sold in 15 states so the sales seem pretty strong based on that. The Leaf and Volt are sold in all states.
Yet again, Toyota being dishonest.
For what's it worth, if you compare Prius's (original) first six months of US sales to the Volt and Leaf (separately), the Prius did worst.
The Volt has about double the sales of the Prius plug-in over the past 6 months, with the sales of the Prius plug-in dropping each month except for August. Volt roles the plug-in market today.
But what is about to change is the 2013 C-MAX Energi and the 2013 Fusion Energi with 25+ EV miles and starting at $32k before incentives.
Then for basic hybrids, the C-MAX Hybrid with more mpg, more power, better driving dynamics and costing less than the Prius wagon, will offer the competition and options the market needs.
Ford had better make tons of these vehicles and keep the lots full so they can meet demand.
The Volt was only sold in select states when introduced as well. I agree with the author, Toyota has chosen to provide only the information that puts the Prius on top. At the very least that is misleading the reader. This is a classic example of biased writing in any Journalism/PR writing course.
If you are going to compare and argue sales figures get all the FACTS.
Prius sells at retail. Volt is incentive driven especially by offering TWo outrageous incentives to certain people. Buying a car list priced about $40,000 for $20,000 does not make it a comperable to others.
Its not a lie if they explain it. The Volt and Leaf are failing. Face it.
Drove the plugin prius nice car, drove the volt and well my wife and I both agree that hands down the Volt wins in all categories, now you know whats in our drive. If any one drives one they will buy one. Don't be cheap go for test drive. If you are honest I already know what the outcome will be this is a challenge to all car buyers not tire kickers.
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