Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
Were the sales supply constrained, or demand constrained?
Does seem crazy to pick the hybrid if the Prime is cheaper. The Prime was the 2nd highest selling plug-in vehicle in 2018, with only the Model 3 selling more, so it doesn't sound like an unpopular vehicle.
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The Prime was the second most popular vehicle in an unpopular segment. 2018 was the best year ever for the Prime, it only sold 27K, and yet it was the second best selling vehicle in the segment.
I'd say the Prime was demand limited looking at the year over year sales. Sales go up and down until they fall off a cliff when the RAV4 Prime is released in 2019.
People do not understand PHEVs. They get hung up on the all-electric range instead of looking at the cost savings. US buyers also overwhelmingly look at purchase cost instead of total cost to own.
Hybrids are no different. There is no cost based reason to ever buy a 1.5T Honda Accord instead of the hybrid. The $2200 pays back quickly in fuel savings and the Hybrid is quicker and better equipped.