[proddick]

194 cars sold in December is a good number I guess? Maybe Santa delivered a few Ampera/Volt/Leaf ;-)

The total of over 2200 eligible cars sold in 2012 is good too? It would be interesting to know breakdown by model, but I guess at least 50% are Ampera/Volt?

http://www.smmt.co.uk/wp-content/upload ... eport1.png

 

[proddick]

I still find the numbers reported confusing. I assume the Ampera/Volt is not counted as "pure electric" so (in Dec) are the 117 Leafs and Twizys? If so, the 77 cars not "pure electric" but PIG eligible are Ampera/Volt I guess?

 

[proddick]

OK, IMHO this is depressing news...

SLOUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – Jan 7, 2013: Sales figures announced today confirmed Prius Plug-in as the best-selling plug-in hybrid in the UK. The car achieved 470 sales from its launch date in July 2012, outselling its nearest rival, Vauxhall Ampera, despite it being on sale since April, 3 months longer than the Toyota.

 

[MK AMP]

For me it was a choice between the two. The four seater aspect of the Ampera was a worry and I was swung by a fantastic demonstrator deal, but I would have got the Ampera in any case for the range. No regrets at all!

 

[dpeilow]

Also don't forget Toyota has great brand recognition with the PiP whereas Vauxhall are starting from scratch. Not helped by the TV ad being pulled after a complaint to the ASA.

 

[Parax]

I think its purely down to the fact that there are many Prius owners trading in an old version for a new version. They are not even bothering to look around, as Prius has been the 'go to' car for such a long while. The Toyota is trusted technology while the Ampera is new.

But I doubt there are many new comers to the Prius Plug-in, as all are, for the Ampera.

 

[proddick]

@Parax - Good point that the Toyota dealers can do an "up-sell". I can see someone going in to look at the 'normal' Prius and ending up with a Prius plug-in, unaware of the benefits of the Ampera/Volt.

Incidentally, I wasn't knocking Toyota. I've had a couple over the past few years and more recently a Lexus. I have always been very impressed with reliability. Like many here I am concerned that a car made by GM (it isn't really a Vauxhall ;-) will not be as reliable, but at least there is the lifetime warranty...