Amid a sharp rise in gasoline prices in the US, demand for hybrid vehicles has grown rapidly. However, this situation has created another problem: dealers are unreasonably inflating prices for the most popular Toyota models. Currently, the average fuel price in the country has exceeded $1.19 per liter, while in California, it has reached $1.58. This is reported by Ixbt.com .
Under these conditions, Americans are mass-switching to fuel-efficient hybrids, particularly the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and other Toyota models. Due to excessive demand, many vehicles have become scarce. Dealers are taking advantage of the situation by adding large markups on top of the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
For example, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE Premium version, with a suggested price of approximately $41,000, is being sold at some dealerships for $56,000. Markups for hybrid models typically range from $3,000 to $13,000. In some cases, vehicles with a base price of $49,000 are being listed for as much as $66,000. As a result, the final price of the car has increased by 30–40% due to dealer markups.
The situation varies from state to state: some dealers continue to sell at official prices, but buyers have to go on a real "hunt" and join long waiting lists to find such offers. Analysts note that the market is reminiscent of the vehicle shortage during the pandemic.
Only this time, the frantic demand is not caused by a shortage of microchips, but by high fuel prices and interest in hybrid technologies that allow for significant gasoline savings. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has now become one of the most sought-after and difficult-to-find models on the US market.
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