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Marketing Plan: Toyota Prius

Rebecca Rogoschewsky
Johns Hopkins University

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

Section 1: Current Marketing Situation


Toyota is a Japanese automaker known for efficient and reliable vehicles. Most car
manufacturers were impacted by a declining economy throughout the last decade; however,
Toyota fared better than many of its competitors. The company was impacted by natural
disasters throughout 2011 that caused serious disruptions in the supply chain and limited access
to numerous parts (Kageyama, 2013), and throughout a number of years before that, struggled
with scrutiny over millions of vehicle recalls in the United States, due to issues such as defective
floor mats, gas pedals, and brakes. While these events no doubt impacted Toyotas reputation,
the Japanese automaker sold 9.748 million vehicles and was the best-selling automaker in 2012
(Kageyama, 2013). The company is planning to use the reputation it built for green technology
with the Prius to help rebuild its brand (Kageyama, 2012).
The Toyota Prius, launched in 1997, was one of the first hybrid vehicles to be offered to
consumers (Halliday, 2008). Prius annual sales have grown to more than $1 million, which
makes up 10% of Toyotas sales worldwide (Kageyama, 2012). Toyotas plan for market growth
includes successful sales of hybrid offerings (Greimel, 2011) by increasing hybrid sales to 1.2
million cars per year by 2015. In North America alone, in 2010, Toyota sold 195,882 hybrids, of
which 143,890 were Priuses. In 2012, 236,000 Priuses were sold in the US alone, an increase of
73% over 2011.
Competition is a risk for the Prius, as more automakers begin to offer hybrid options. Job
(2012) suggests that the Ford C-Max will be a serious contender against the Prius, has better fuel
economy than the 2012 Prius v and the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and has a roomy, stylish, and
smart design. However, the Consumer Reports publication (2013) refers to the Prius as a
bargain. While it is not the cheapest car in its class, it is spacious, reliable, and economical.

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA


Market Description
While the initial excitement around electric and plug-in vehicles has waned (Guilford,
2013), hybrids are still a focus of many automakers, including Toyota. Guilford (2013) also
provides further insight into the market through interviews with those in the auto marketing

industry. Buyers of these vehicles still tend to be new adopters, not really the mainstream public,
as many are still sceptical about the cars. While fuel economy is important to consumers,
environmental benefits and fuel economy are not necessarily as important as driving experience
and cost. To match its targets for growth, Toyota will have to appeal to the mass public, not just
those technology-driven early adopters, in the select states where these vehicles are sold, before
expanding into other markets. Currently, Toyota has 60% of the market share of hybrid vehicles,
which is down from 68% a few years ago. During the same time period, Fords market share
increased from 9% to 16% (Tuttle, 2013).
Toyota now offers four makes of the vehicle, including the basic Prius, the more compact
Prius c, the more advanced Prius Plug-in, and the more spacious and family-friendly Prius v.
This means that consumers will now have the option to purchase a fuel-efficient Prius with the
body style and price that suit their needs.
Table 1.1 Potential Customer Segment Needs and Corresponding Features and Benefits
Targeted Segment

Customer Needs

Corresponding
Features/Benefits

Customer A:

A technologically advanced,

Numerous upgrades

First-time Prius

high-performance, fun to drive

and options to choose

customers

vehicle that is fuel efficient,

from, four model types

has a sleek design, and is

to meet various needs,

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

customizable to individual

unbeatable gas mileage,

needs.

and a new lower price.

High safety rating.

Various safety features,


including extra airbags
and a high safety rating
for its class.

Customer B:

A current Toyota customer

Has the reputation of

Current Toyota

will already enjoy fuel

the trusted Toyota

customer looking for

efficiency and reliability.

brand, with the addition

These customers, if looking to

of increased fuel

try the hybrid, would be

economy and

looking for increased fuel-

trendsetting, sleek style.

a hybrid model

efficiency, lower emissions,

sleek new styles and colors,

lower fuel costs means

fun new technology and some

less risk in switching.

type of incentive to but a

hybrid.
Customer C:

New lower prices and

This customer may be a first-

Rebates for fuel


efficient vehicles.

Great service and

Current Prius

generation hybrid model owner

perhaps some type of

customer

looking for an upgrade.

trade-in incentive for

This group needs to see the

older models.

benefits of the newer models,


including new available

Same great vehicle with


better prices and

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA


vehicle options, updated
models and colors to choose

updated design.

New Plug-In model for

from, and the same great fuel

those who were early

efficiency for a new lower

adopters of the first

price.

model.

Customers need to feel valued


in order to buy another Prius or
upgrade their existing car.

Product Review
Prius

The Prius has a fuel economy of 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway (50mpg
combined).

The vehicle offers combined benefits of an efficient gasoline engine, and a clean, quiet
electric motor with low emissions.

This models sleek body style and high-performance engine means it is fun to drive and
yet has high safety ratings in its class and comes equipped with Toyotas Star Safety
System.

New pricing for 2012 Toyota hybrids is lower than before (Toyota website). The 2013
Prius starts at $26,100 US, making it similar in price to non-hybrid vehicles of its size.

Prius c

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

Fuel economy of 53 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway, making it an excellent
choice for young urban consumers.

Compact body style with nine fun, modern colours to choose from.

Most affordable Prius model, starting at $19,080 US.

Prius Plug-in

Incredible fuel economy of 95/50 mpge (estimated miles per gasoline gallon equivalent),
as it plugs and runs on a combination of gasoline and electricity.

Most advanced Prius hybrid model.

Starts at $32,000, but consumers can apply for a $2,500 tax credit in the United States.

Prius v

Highest fuel economy of any crossover, SUV, or wagon at 44/40 mpg (city/highway).

High safety and consumer ratings.

Extra cargo space, making this an excellent cost-effective choice for families.

Starts at $26,650 US.

Competitive Review
Ford, Honda and Chevrolet all have newer versions of hybrid vehicles that will result in
competition for the Prius.
Ford

Ford is becoming more competitive in the hybrid market with models such as the CMax and Fusion. These models are priced competitively compared to the equivalent

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

Prius model but do not always offer the same level of gas mileage, depending on the
comparable model.
Honda

Honda has three hybrid models that could compete with the Prius the Civic Hybrid,
the Insight, and the CR-Z. Again, these vehicles are at a slightly lower price point
than the Prius and the Prius v, which are the most comparable models. The body style
is sleek and modern, but according to the 2012 model AutoGuide.com review, the gas
mileage is once again not comparable to the Prius.

Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in car and is therefore competition for the Prius Plug-in.
The price point is very similar, but these vehicles dont yet have the popularity or
reputation that the Toyota hybrids do.

Channels and Logistics Review


The Toyota Prius will be distributed through the 1,500 Toyota dealerships throughout the United
States (Toyota, n.d.).
Section 2: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis
Toyota is a well-respected brand in the auto industry and the Prius was, as the tagline states,
The one that started it all. However, some of the initial hype around hybrids has waned.
Strengths:

The first hybrid on the market; the one that started it all.

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

Reputation of being a trailblazer in the hybrid industry.

Best fuel efficiency of all comparable hybrid models.

High safety ratings.

High-tech options in each version of the Prius.

Spacious interior and choice of size due to four model offerings.

Toyota has a proven track record, and was the worlds top automaker of 2012.

Weaknesses:

Reputation for a significantly higher price than non-hybrid vehicles.

Slightly higher priced than other comparable hybrids.

Fuel economy can vary greatly depending on how the vehicle is driven.

Perceived premium cost.

Opportunities:

New model style options can appeal to new target audiences, such as families and
younger consumers.

Climate change continues to be a growing concern.

Gas prices remain high and somewhat volatile in North America, increasing the appeal of
fuel efficient vehicles.

Consumers still cautious in terms of spending, but this might be an opportunity to


highlight lower prices and newer model options.

Threats:

Increased competition, especially from North American automakers in the North


American markets.

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

Impact of economic downturn is still evident in more cautious consumer spending


patterns.

Although Toyota was named automaker of the year, some will be cautious to purchase these
vehicles after product recalls within the past five years, and the subsequent negative media
coverage that followed.
Table 2.1 Strategic Matrix
Strategies to address opportunities, reduce vulnerabilities, and create defensive plans around
potential weaknesses.

STRENGTHS
OPPORTUNITIES

Continue to position Prius as

WEAKNESSES

a trailblazer among hybrids.

Focus on Toyotas strong

Reposition Prius in terms


of its new lower cost.

Educate customers on how

reputation and brand.

to get the best fuel

Build on well-known facts

mileage upon purchase, to

such as fuel efficiency and

manage the expectations

safety rating.

of customers.

Build on already positive


media coverage with
proactive media plan.

THREATS

Position Toyota as an
innovative automaker and

Build on new vehicle


safety ratings to prevent

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA


take advantage of the fact that

customers from being

newer North American

wary as a result of recent

hybrids may not have the

vehicle and parts recalls.

reputation that Toyota does.

Focus on value to

Maintain market share of

customers to ensure that

hybrids by targeting first

the slightly higher price is

generation Prius customers

seen as worth the value

and other Toyota owners for

due to higher fuel mileage

new sales.

and proven track record of


high-quality vehicles.

Section 3: Marketing Strategy


Positioning
Differentiate the Prius from other new brands of hybrids by continuing to brand it as the
original hybrid. This positions the model as a leader in the hybrid market. The new model
offerings in the Prius line of vehicles allow the hybrid to appeal to a wider variety of consumers.
The marketing communications campaign will focus on the vehicles innovative fuel technology,
new lower pricing, and style options to fit any lifestyle.
Product Strategy
Toyota is now rolling out three new models of the Prius vehicle, including a new Plug-In
model. Each model and its marketing will be aligned with its respective target market. New
models will be tested by Toyota employees and employees within the distribution network. The

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

10

newest product, the Prius Plug-In, will be rolled out first in California, which is the most
successful market for the Prius to date. As the product is still in the growth stage, the company
will offer rebates for purchasing these green vehicles, as well as extended vehicle warranties.
Customers will be offered one-on-one Prius experience test-drives, where the dealership also
provides education on the cars new technology and how to get the best fuel mileage from their
Prius.
Pricing Strategy
Toyota is offering the new Prius for a slightly lower starting price. In this case, The Prius
c starts at less than $20,000, which is a very competitive price for a smaller car. Although
competitors prices are slightly lower, the Prius is a trendsetter in the hybrid market, and the
value, reputation, safety rating, and higher fuel efficiency are worth the slightly higher price. By
offering customers four different base models to choose from as well as various additional
features and options, the Prius provides consumers a wide variety of value-added pricing options.
Rebates should also be provided and used in the marketing communication pieces to encourage
the purchase of a green vehicle. In-car road side assistance could also be included to increase
the perceived customer value by offering a higher level of service to the customer. As Consumer
Reports (2013) suggests, this car is high value for cost. Therefore, lowering the cost further is
not recommended, as it could negatively impact consumers perceptions vehicle value.
Distribution strategy
Despite the fact that many automakers are moving toward reducing the number of dealers
in their distribution system, legal and cost barriers prevent this change from happening quickly
(Bucklin, Siddarth & Silva-Risso, 2008). It is important for consumers in target markets to have

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

11

access to dealerships, and it is important for the company to work closely with dealership
partners to ensure the success of vehicle sales.
Another important aspect of distribution is inventory management. Trunick (2007)
suggests that not having appropriate inventory in place (either too much or too little), can be
costly for any retailer. Because the Prius is a newer, and highly customizable vehicle, production
will somewhat be dependent on demand. However, if enough cars of each model are not
available for purchase, the customers perception of brand service and value can be impacted.
Ideally, Toyota would ensure a number of intermediate distribution sites in carefully chosen
locations, so that a vehicle is not sitting unsold too long in a dealership but can also be
transported to a dealership quickly if a customer is interested in purchasing the vehicle.
Marketing Communications Strategy
Audience Analysis
Demographics: The Prius customer varies depending on the model. Urban families,
professionals, or even college students are target audiences. The compact design of the Prius c
would appeal likely to women more than men, as would the family-style Prius v. The compact
model would likely appeal to women under the age of 30 or over the age of 45 due to limited
cargo space, which is not ideal for families. The wagon-style v model would appeal to women in
the middle of that age group, between 30 and 50 years old. The Prius, on the other hand, with its
sleek styling, road performance, and slightly higher price point, would more likely appeal to
professional men between the ages of 30 and 50.
Frequency: Customers will use their vehicle every single day and arent likely to buy a vehicle
more often than every four or five years.

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MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

Purpose: The Prius is more than a means to get from point A to point B. This car will make sure
you enjoy the ride. It will get you to work but it will also be fun to drive on the weekends and
has the cargo space and gas mileage for a stress-free weekend road trip.
Loyalty: Toyota customers are loyal, in part thanks to the reliability of their vehicles as well as
the companys reputation for quality. However, customers of other vehicle brands may be
swayed to fuel-efficient vehicles due to high gas prices, especially in North America.
Spend: These are not budget vehicles and will likely be most attractive to those who want a
premium feel with a low-to-mid-level price point. Premium purchasers will likely be more
interested in hybrid offerings from brands such as Lexus.
Table 3.1 Whole Brand Contact Inventory
Brand

Importance

Impression

Customer

Customer

Contact

Evaluation

Evaluation

Expectation

Experience

Message Sent

Resources
currently
allocated

Dealership

High

Mixed

sales teams

Excellent,

Consistent

We appreciate

honest service

with other

your sales, and

dealerships

know our

Adequate

reputation will
bring more
Dealership

Medium

Mixed

Quick, cost-

Varies

Depends. Good

Could use

Service

effective

depending on

service suggests

more to

Centres

service from

the

that they are

ensure

expert staff

dealership

proud of brand

consistency

13

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA


Company

High

Positive

reputation

Positive

Low-

Buying a Toyota

Could be

reputation for

maintenance,

is a good choice,

improved

great service,

good value

and a Prius is a

following

quality and

for product

great option for

value

and

certain

consumers

audiences

recalls in
2009-2010

can have
confidence in
their
purchase
Advertising

Medium

Positive

Realistic,

Depends.

The company

Could be

honest

Effective if it

has information

used to better

information

reflects

to share

promote new

about how

messages at

product will

other brand

meet customer

contacts

line of Prius
models

needs
Media

Medium

Positive

Unbiased

Customers

If unbiased

Adequate

information

depend on

reporters say its

positive

and coverage

the media for

a good car, it

coverage

of products and

honest

must be a good

company

feedback on

car

products

14

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA


Employees

High

Mixed

Employees

Employee

If employees are

Could better

should be

stories are

happy, its likely

use

brand

trustworthy

a good company

employees as

advocates and

and

speak

important

brand
ambassadors

positively of
the product
Word of

High

Positive

mouth

Website

Medium

Positive

Honest

Most Toyota

Word of mouth

feedback from

customers are is trustworthy

could always

friends and

happy and

information.

improve

other trusted

tell their

consumers

peers

Easy-to-access

Easy to

Provides tone

Adequate

information

navigate and

and feel of a

find

vehicle - Prius

information

site is fun, crisp,

Positive, but

and modern
Social

High

Mixed

media

Honest,

Mixed

Company is

unfiltered

reviews

responsive and

feedback
Community
Investment

Medium

Positive

Not enough

modern

Companies

Help create a

The company

Already do a

should also be

positive

cares about the

great job

responsible

feeling

communities it

built on this

corporate

towards a

serves

citizens

company

and tie to
incentives

15

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA


Table 3.2 Whole Brand Contact Priority Grid
Important

Negative

I
Social media
Dealership sales teams
Company reputation

II
Word of Mouth
Employees
Media

III
Dealership Service Centres

IV
Website
Advertising

Positive

Less important
Section 4: Action Programs and Budgets
Action Programs
Employee Engagement Strategy
Develop an employee testing and incentive strategy. The first part of the strategy
includes inviting various employees and dealership employees to provide feedback throughout
the product development process. This includes having employees test drive the new products
and developing an online portal where employees can provide feedback and comments on the
new designs and help provide input into newer models. The second aspect of the employee
engagement strategy involves offering employees discounted pricing, only slightly above cost,
on new models so that they are more likely to purchase the vehicles and become brand
ambassadors for the product. Staff will have access to the new models six weeks before the new
models roll out, and will then be encouraged to post information about the new vehicles and
incentives on social media as well, which will be part of a larger social media campaign.

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

16

Word of Mouth/Social Media Campaign


A social media campaign will be developed to complement an advertising campaign.
The social media campaign will launch with teaser Twitter and Facebook posts, as well as
Instagram photos of the new models new features. Following three weeks of teasers, employees
will be encouraged to share their experiences, photos and favourite features of the new models.
This campaign will last three weeks as well, and the last week will be coordinated with the
launch week of the new models. For the first month of sales, the social media campaign will
continue with employee stories, at which point contests will be launched to entice customers to
share their stories as well, to be entered to win free car washes or even trips to locations such as
Costa Rica or other countries where rainforests are protected. These types of incentives are wellaligned with the product, as taking care of a new vehicle is important, and as environmentallyaware consumers may be attracted to the Prius for its environmental benefits, a trip incentive to
this type of location may be an effective for this audience.
Media and Community Investment Strategy
Both Toyota and Prius already have positive media coverage, since being named the
number one automaker of last year and the best-selling hybrid, respectively, and have recovered
from some of the negative press as a result of product recalls within the past five years. While
theres much positive press regarding the reputation of the vehicles and sales, a media campaign
highlighting increased sponsorships could help position Toyota as a good corporate citizen.
Toyotas investment guidelines suggest that they focus on environment, education and safety,
which are well-aligned with product offerings. Investments in parks, community clean-up days
(based in schools and communities), and sponsorship of energy efficient community complexes

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

17

or vehicle donations, could be well-aligned with a major selling feature of the Prius its reduced
environmental footprint. Advertisements highlighting community partnerships will be
developed, in conjunction with media events to announce partnerships and investments in
various communities.
Dealership Sales Teams
Customer service is vital to a companys success. If customers have a negative
experience, they will share those experiences through social media and word of mouth. This can
limit the effectiveness of media and advertising campaigns. Additional investment in customer
service can be used to ensure employee training targets the importance of customer service, to
implement customer satisfaction survey incentives, and to extend versions of employee vehicle
purchasing incentives to dealership partner employees. Ensuring employees are educated in
customer service and are invested enough in the brand to act as brand ambassadors, can help
ensure a higher level of customer service, which can help attract new customers. By using the
sales force to personally contact customers who have purchased a Prius in the past, they can gain
insight into whether a customer is looking to upgrade a vehicle and offer them further incentives
to test drive and purchase a newer model.
Website
A companys website is often the first place a customer experiences the brand. Toyotas
Prius website is modern, clean, and easy to navigate and reflects the value of the brand. A space
for customer and employee testimonials, as well as a social media feed, are important to link the
various channels, messages and incentives.

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

18

Advertising
Advertising is important way to reach the target audience and each customer group
should receive tailored messages through very specific channels. To reach customers in Group
A, an initial advertising campaign utilizing television, print and online ads would be effective in
presenting the features of the Prius to the target audience. Ad placement could include social
media, online advertising on major news sites and auto sections of the sites, as well as print
newspapers in both the news and driving sections. These ads would be effective in targeting the
professional or business-focused audience. College papers could be targeted to reach those about
to graduate to promote models such as the Prius c, and morning shows could be useful in
promoting the new v model to women in the target audience, who would influence family vehicle
decisions. Following the initial campaign, a secondary campaign will focus on community
investment and employee and new customer testimonials, in conjunction with social media
campaigns and media events. Lastly, a direct mail campaign could be implemented to reach
first-generation Prius owners, offering incentives for trade-ins and purchases of newer models.
Marketing Investment
Allocation of marketing dollars is included in the Return on Customer Investment
spreadsheet below. The expenditures are aligned with the specific channels, messages and
incentives developed to reach target audiences. The total marketing communication budget is
$4.9 million, which leaves and additional $100,000 to be used as needed upon evaluation
throughout the campaign. The category demand, or goal for increased revenue, is based on a
10% increase overall in sales based on the 236,000 Prius sales in 2012.

19

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA


Table 4.1 Return on Customer Investment

Aggregated
Customer
Group
Behavioral Goal

Category Requirement Assumptions


Estimated Category Demand

7800000000

Group B:
Switchers
from other
Toyota model
Increase

Group A:
First Time
Prius Buyer
Increase

Group C:
Previous
Prius
customers
Maintain

390000000

195000000

195000000

60.00%
234000000

20.00%
39000000

20.00%
39000000

70.00%

55.00%

65.00%

30.00%

45.00%

35.00%

70200000

17550000

13650000

20.00%
72.0%

-30.00%
14.0%

-5.00%
19.0%

Base Income Flow Assumptions


2

Base share of requirement

Base income flow to us

Noncommunication costs

Contribution Margin %

Contribution Margin $

Scenario A: No Communications
Investment
7

Change in share of requirement

positive or negative %

Resulting share of requirement

Resulting customer inflow to us

280800000

27300000

37050000

-196560000

-15015000

-24082500

10

Less noncommunication costs

11

Less marketing communication costs

-$

12

Net contribution

84240000

12285000

12967500

13

Scenario B: Communication Investment


TV Advertising

500000

50000

20000

14

Radio Advertising

100000

5000

15

Consumer Magazines

300000

25000

16

Direct Mail

500000

250000

500000

17

Sales Promotion

250000

50000

50000

18

Public Relations

100000

50000

35000

19

Special events/sponsorships

1000000

200000

15000

20

Custom Media

250000

50000

21

Customer Service Improvements

200000

200000

200000

22

Total Brand Communications Investment


Change in the share of requirement

3200000

880000

820000

23

Estimate %

36.00%

0.00%

15.00%

24

Resulting share of requirement

81.6%

20.0%

23.0%

25

Resulting customer income flow to us

318240000

39000000

44850000

26

Less noncommunication cost

222768000

21450000

29152500

27

Less brand communication cost

3200000

880000

820000

28

Net contribution

92272000

16670000

14877500

ROCI Calculation
29

Net contribution scenario A

84240000

12285000

12967500

30

92272000

16670000

14877500

31

Net contribution scenario B


Incremental gain/loss v. No investment
scenario

8032000

4385000

1910000

32

Incremental ROCI

39.84%

20.07%

42.93%

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

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Section 5: Summary
This marketing plan aims to using targeted messages and incentives to increase the
market share of the Toyota Prius in the North American hybrid market. As stated in the current
market situation, the Prius already holds 60% of the hybrid market share, but this has declined in
recent years. This strategy aims to reverse that pattern and increase sales from the previous year
by a minimum of 10%.
As outlined in the SWOT Analysis, one of the main threats to the Prius is the increased
competition from North American automakers who are releasing new, competitively priced
hybrid models. However, price is only one aspect of brand value, and the Prius`s competitive
advantage is that their reputation and fuel economy is superior to other models. Marketing
materials will build on their reputation and continue to highlight the strengths of these models,
using both informative marketing materials, supplemented with a more grassroots, customer and
employee-centred approach.
The $4.9 million investment in marcom activities is targeted at the three main customer
section, based on the current brand inventory assessment. Based on the Return on Customer
Investment calculations, this targeted investment will have a significant impact on revenue from
Prius sales. As outlined in Table 4.1, Prius will see a 16% increase in sales due to marketing
activities targeted to new customers, or Customer Group A, alone. For Customer Group C, or
previous Prius customers, without an investment in targeted marketing activities, Prius will see a
loss of 5% of these customers; however, as a result of the proposed strategy, this customer group
will instead increase by a projected 20%. In comparing the incremental gains and losses in the
first scenario, with no marketing investment, and the proposed marcom plan across all three main

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

21

target audiences, it is evident that the $4.9 million marcom investment will result in an additional
$14.3 million in revenue for Prius.

MARKETING PLAN FOR TOYOTA PRIUS IN NORTH AMERICA

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References
Best new-car values. (2013). Consumer Reports, 78(2), 58-59.
Bucklin, R., Siddarth, S. & Silva-Risso, J. (2008). Distribution intensity and new car choice.
Journal of Marketing Research, XLV, 473-486.
Greimel, H. (2011). Toyota bets big on hybrids for its U.S. sales revival. Automotive news,
86(6493).
Guilford, D. (2013). Plugging along. Automotive News, 87(6561), 0004.
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