2010 Prius – Price analysis – Canada v US pricing

With the Canadian pricing finally announced, here’s a quick price comparison between Canada and US models.

Since it is almost impossible to compare packages, I’ve only done this for the most basic configuration.

I’m using a 1.12 USD to CAD exchange rate, and my province of reference is BC.

(a) Canadian pricing (incl. delivery, taxes, tax credit, no options): $30,535 CAD.

(b) US pricing: base price in USD: $22750 = $25480 CAD

6.1% duty: $1554 CAD 5%

GST: $1274 CAD 7% PST: $1783 CAD

PST rebate: -$1783 CAD

Import fees and misc: ~$500 CAD

Total Canadian cost of importing a Package II from the US: $28,808 CAD.

Price difference (@ 1.12 exchage rate): $1726 CAD.

If exchange rate goes to par, price difference = $4760 CAD.

My 2 cents: at a 1.12 exchange rate, it probably makes more sense to purchase the vehicle in Canada.   However, once you cross $3,000 CAD in savings, it makes sense to import the vehicle.

— Oren

Gen III Prius – 2010 – now added to Transport Canada’s Import list

While I haven’t yet seen the official Canadian pricing for the new 2010 Gen III Prius, one can expect it to be much (much!) higher than the US$ pricing.
Good news though – the new Gen II Prius has been added to Transport Canada’s list of vehicles one can import to Canada:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/SafeVehicles/Importation/Usa/VAFUS/list/TOYOTA_LEXUS.htm

With the current exchange rate hovering at around 1.1 CAD per USD, it makes sense to import the new Prius from the US (MSRP of $22,000 USD).

I’ll post a complete cost comparison once Canadian prices are published (with all the extra fees, etc.).

— Oren