ultra63

California sites seem to have a good supply of the hybrids but they have become scarce in the Southeast. Is it because of the lower price of gas or are hybrids less profitable for Toyota to manufacture?

Curryolla

Couple of reasons I can think of at the top of my head...but it all comes down to market demand. The demand for the RX 450h is just too low in the Southeast.

First of all, no. Hybrids are not that much less profitable for Toyota to manufacture. Toyota and Honda both claimed (back in 2010) that they make about $3,000 per hybrid vehicle. This is about the same as a gasoline car. Now, things are probably even better on that front. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...it-per-vehicle

Secondly, some (not all) people in the Southeast don't buy into the green mentality. Deeply conservative states tend to shy away from hybrids because they are perceived as "weak" and "pansy". A 2014 KBB study found that only 20% of southerners consider a hybrid for their next car purchase. http://www.autoblog.com/photos/most-...#slide-2139015

Third, the average annual income. People in the Southeast just don't earn that much. Lower income means less willingness to pay the premium for hybrid technology. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ates_by_income

Fourth, average gas prices are dirt cheap! Lucky you guys! Where is gas the most expensive in the US...California, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska. The cheapest...Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi. Lower gas prices hurt hybrid sales big time. https://www.gasbuddy.com/GasPriceMap...12724324093085

Please don't think I'm bashing the Southeast, I'm just reporting what I have read and seen in the years. And, just to be safe, I've been Google fact-checking myself. Seeing as you are in Florida, I'm not too surprised you are having trouble finding a hybrid. I know most dealerships here in Ohio have only one or two on their lot. Of all the states in the Southeast, I would think Florida would have the most RX 450h!

Bearcat

If you believe think they only make about $3k a vehicle, you are delusional.

Curryolla

Yeah...now that I think about it, $3000 does seem too low. Maybe for a Yaris, but not a Lexus. Especially considering how Porsche makes about $20k per vehicle they sell. I wonder how much Lexus makes when they sell an RX 450h!?!? Any ideas?

Bearcat

I would guess for my $65k 450h, $25k to build it, $20k for the dealer, and $20k for the manufacturer.

Jerry61

If you find a RX 450h in the southeast it will be either white or black with few options, big disappointment.

ggebhardt

I was happy to find a 2017 Luxury Caviar Luxury 450h with ivory interior and it will be coming home today!

GoHuskers

dealer to make $20k on every 450h they sold is unrealistic...

here in nebraska, it hard to find an 450h with the options you like as well...lots of low to mid option x350 instead.

ggebhardt

Sorry but that is not a good "guess".

Dealer make more on reselling your used our used car than the new one you bought. I would be surprised if the dealer made more than $3k to $4k on a loaded RX. If you look around they got one heck of a lot of overhead.

stevemcb

That is very funny.

ggebhardt

The dealers in Jacksonville is showing 4-5 of the 450h units, some in colors other than black or white.