Reports of Toyota Prius Pricing Strategy Shift Discounted by Automaker

DETROIT — A report in the U.K.'s Auto Express says Toyota plans to keep the current Prius on sale to better compete with the lower-priced Honda Insight even as it rolls out the redesigned 2010 Prius. The story is being discounted by Toyota.'We haven't heard anything like that here — nothing whatsoever,' Toyota spokesman Curt McAllister told Inside Line on Wednesday. He said that no other details would be forthcoming about the 2010 Toyota Prius until its formal unveiling at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.The word of the dual product and pricing strategy was detailed on the British publication's Web site. 'Auto Express has learned that bosses plan to keep the current Prius on sale — and to compete with Honda's forthcoming Insight, it will be at a new low price,' it said.The new Prius goes on sale next year as a direct competitor to the Honda Insight, which is expected to be priced some $2,000-$3,000 below the new Prius.Inside Line says: It remains to be seen just how Toyota will position the new Prius to better compete against the Honda Insight. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent