Findlay Toyota executive salutes introduction of Prius C

Richard Kaye has been in the car business for more than 20 years, and he has seen countless new product lines from Toyota.

So Kaye is certainly believable when he states that the 2012 Prius C hybrid is one of the best-ever car deals he has seen as an executive with Findlay Toyota in the Valley Automall.

Since being introduced about three weeks ago, the Prius C (which stands for "city") has erupted in popularity especially after continued hikes in fuel prices.

"In the week the Prius C was introduced into the market, it surpassed the nearest two hybrid competitors combined in sales," said Kaye, a 46-year-old Las Vegas native whose father, Norman, was legendary entertainer with the Mary Kaye Trio in the 1950s and 1960s. "The Prius sells as soon as it hits the showroom floor.

Kaye said the reasons for the popularity of the Prius C are numerous and include a sticker price averaging just less than $20,000 with a top of about $23,900.

"But that's certainly only one of the reasons why the Prius C is so wildly popular," Kaye said. "The car averages about 53 miles per gallon in the city and 46 on the highway and has a combined average of 50 miles to the gallon.

"Gas isn't going down in price and everyone is cost conscious about what they're paying for fuel now. But what's so fascinating about the Prius is that you can expect to visit the pump about twice a month during normal driving conditions."

Kaye said the Prius C has a 1.5-liter, 73-horsepower four cylinder gasoline engine, plus an electric hybrid Synergy Drive hybrid system generating a net system total of 99 horsepower.

Kaye said the batteries are benchmark-tested by Toyota to last at least 150,000 miles. He has seen Prius vehicles as Las Vegas cabs running with as many as 400,000 miles with the original batteries.

"When you drive a Prius C nowadays, you're a happy customer, for sure," Kaye said. "When you visit the gas pump as little as you do with this car, it reinforces your decision to have purchased the Prius C in the first place.

"Trust me, when you take a Prius C vehicle into your neighborhood for the first time, it can instantly create neighborhood envy. This car is absolute gold. It's very stylish and a lot of fun to drive and seats five people comfortably.

"Then, too, the Toyota Care Complimentary Maintenance Program offers two years, 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance and three years of roadside assistance. There are no mechanical belts at all in the power plant. There is a minimal amount of maintenance. In a nutshell, all an owner needs to do is add fuel."

Kaye said another key feature about the Prius C is that it weighs approximately 2,500 pounds.

"The car is trim due to its extensive usage of superstrong lightweight steel," he explained. "It has nine air bags, the Star Safety System which encompasses multiple systems to ensure the safe driving of the vehicle no matter what the weather."

Kaye said the demographics include urban and city dwellers along with buyers that cover all age categories.

"This car fits every age bracket at a price point that is hard to beat," he said. "As soon as the car was introduced, it was selling out very quickly. Toyota is brilliant when it comes to introducing a product that is timely, impressive and affordable."

To Kaye, the introduction of the Prius C is a big reason why he has stayed in the car business for more than two decades and at Findlay Toyota since it opened 14 years ago.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to see the evolution changes from the combustion engine to the hybrid and see the direction that Toyota is going," he said. "The automobile industry changes constantly and that's why you never get bored here."

Findlay Toyota, at 7733 Eastgate Road just east of U.S. Highway 95, is spearheaded by General Manager Rich Abajian. For further information on Findlay Toyota, call 702-566-2000 or visit www.findlaytoyota.com.