Toyota South Africa has recently announced that it now offers the Prius petrol-electric hybrid vehicle for purchase at R269 900.
Toyota South Africa has recently announced that it now offers the Prius petrol-electric hybrid vehicle for purchase at R269 900.
The only petrol-electric hybrid available in South Africa, the Prius was only offered on a four-year, full maintenance rental agreement at its January 2005 launch.
“When we introduced the Prius in South Africa at the beginning of the year we followed the guidelines from Toyota Motor Corporation with respect to launching this high technology vehicle in new markets around the world,” said Johan van Zyl, president and chief executive of Toyota South Africa.
“This required initial transactions to be rental agreements so we could monitor the vehicles and all the special systems installed at our 12 selected dealership before offering an outright purchase option. All the Toyota Motor Corporation’s parameters have been met and interest in the Prius is very high and I am sure there will be even greater interest now that the vehicle can be purchased outright,” said van Zyl.
However, the 44 customers who took delivery of their cars under the rental agreement between February and June will not be radically affected by the change, and now have the option to own their vehicle without incurring a penalty.
“”Early adopters”, who took delivery of a Prius under the four-year rental agreement will have the option to convert to ownership without any penalty, either by paying cash or negotiating a hire purchase agreement. These customers will continue with their original four-year full maintenance plan and at the end of the term they will be given an additional four-year service plan, with cover going from the original 120 000 km to 195 000 km,” van Zyl concluded.
Those that choose to purchase a Prius will also benefit from the 195 000km / eight year service plan included in the price. The car is sold and serviced by 12 selected dealers and is currently available in Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban.
Gauteng:
McCarthy Toyota, Brooklyn
McCarthy Toyota, Midrand
East Rand Toyota
Monument Toyota West Rand
Rand Stadium Toyota
Imperial Toyota Strijdompark
Killarney Toyota Houghton
Cape Town:
Barloworld Toyota Tygervalley
Market Toyota Claremont
Helderberg Toyota
Durban:
McCarthy Toyota Greyville
Gateway Toyota
Prius owners also have the benefit of emergency service support through their dealer and a 24-hour breakdown service via the Automobile Association of South Africa.