While the tally includes the 80,000 orders that Toyota booked prior to the official sales launch of the car on May 18, the rest of the orders have been placed within a month of the car’s debut.
More hours for workers
To meet the burgeoning demand for the Prius, Toyota has transferred close to 1,000 workers to its Tsutsumi factory in the Aichi region from other factories.
Overtime shifts will be the order of the day at Toyota plants.
Put together, the Tsutsumi factory and Toyota Auto Body Co.’s Fujimatsu plant will churn out 50,000 Priuses a month.
Number one slot
The third-generation Prius, rolled out by the Tokyo based Toyota a month ago, has seen a blockbuster first month. It was Japan’s bestselling car last month, toppling Honda Motor Co.’s (TYO: 7267, NYSE: HMC) Insight.
The tax-breaks and other government incentives meant to perk growth during the economic slump aided to boost the demand.
Japanese people, who trade in a 13 years or older car, get a 250,000 yen ($2,500) rebate, while those without a trade-in get 100,000 yen ($1,000) rebate for buying an ecological model.
Yoshiaki Kawano, an analyst at auto consulting company CSM Worldwide in Tokyo opined, “Demand has shifted from Insight to Prius. The tax incentives are definitely boosting purchases.”
As on date, there is a seven month waiting period from the date of booking till the date of delivery. Sign of good times to come back again for Toyota, which has seen the worst loss in its seven-decade history for the fiscal year ended March 2009.
Post new comment