Why Toyota just dropped $20 million on a 2016 Prius commercial

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The Superbowl is the top TV sports event of the year, and Prius is the top selling green car.

Torque News estimates that the 60-second Superbowl commercial that Toyota will run for the 2016 Prius will cost the company about $20 million during the course of the game. This may seem like a lot of money for such a niche vehicle, but look closer and you will realize the flaw in that thinking.

The Toyota Prius sold about 190,000 units last year making it anything but a niche vehicle. That number is impressive only if it is compared to other cars people know and love. It is about the same number as GM’s 2015 Chevy Malibu sales, one of the brand’s top-selling cars. We can’t compare it to any Volkswagens or Mazdas because neither brand makes anything that sells as well. The point is, the Prius is a mainstream vehicle regarding sales.

Mainstream is what the Superbowl offers. Everyone watches. Unlike the Stanley Cup and other final rounds in pro sports, the Superbowl draws viewers from across all demographics and from all geographical areas inside North America. That makes it a perfect match for the Prius which also sells in all demographics and in all areas inside the US (unlike many other green cars that are limited to parts of just 12 states).

Clever is the point of Superbowl advertising. Offer people more than they expect and surprise them so they tell their friends. Sounds a lot like the idea behind the Prius.

Submitted by Charlotte Omoto (not verified) on January 13, 2016 - 6:19PM

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Another important reason to advertise is to boost sales. Sales of Priuses have been going down in double digit percentages for the last couple of years.

Considering the price of gas at below $2.00 a gallon, a 12% drop in sales is
pretty strong. What Toyota is doing with this new design, is showing that it
is a main-stream affordable car, that is fun to drive, reliable and just happens
to get 58 mpg.

I agree with that statement/question. I missed the press launch, so I made up this unusual story for readers that wanted to hear some of the good stuff a varied list of reviewers wrote (if you are interested you can copy and past the link, the comments don't support links): http://www.torquenews.com/1083/compilation-2016-toyota-prius-first-driver-reports

Submitted by Charlotte Omoto (not verified) on January 13, 2016 - 6:20PM

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Another important reason to advertise is to boost sales. Sales of Priuses have been going down in double digit percentages for the last couple of years.

Submitted by Scott (not verified) on January 17, 2016 - 11:10PM

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Gas isn't gonna stay at $2/gallon for long, Toyota is smart enough to realize this. What Mr. Bickel wrote above is also correct.

Submitted by bob (not verified) on February 8, 2016 - 5:34PM

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the2016 Prius is about as fast off the line as those of the prior generation. to promote it otherwise and to have it involved in a police chase does not appeal to the people who but them.