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round hole in front bumper?

17K views 24 replies 14 participants last post by  lankylincoln 
#1 ·
is for?
 
#9 ·
Our salesman told us that is where they tie it down when it is shipped over from Japan. Cars made in the US don't need to be shipped on a freighter, so that's why you don't see them on all Toyotas. The Prius is 100% made in Japan, then shipped.

A boring, rational explanation. I was hoping it would have something to do with a conspiracy theory, but it doesn't.
 
#10 ·
pyccku said:
Our salesman told us that is where they tie it down when it is shipped over from Japan. Cars made in the US don't need to be shipped on a freighter, so that's why you don't see them on all Toyotas. The Prius is 100% made in Japan, then shipped.

A boring, rational explanation. I was hoping it would have something to do with a conspiracy theory, but it doesn't.
Well, most conspiracy theories do have holes in them, but that's a whole other matter.
 
#11 ·
pyccku said:
Our salesman told us that is where they tie it down when it is shipped over from Japan. Cars made in the US don't need to be shipped on a freighter, so that's why you don't see them on all Toyotas. The Prius is 100% made in Japan, then shipped.

A boring, rational explanation. I was hoping it would have something to do with a conspiracy theory, but it doesn't.
Correct, correct, correct! Take a close look at the "tow eyelet" that is in the under trunk tray and you will notice that it is fairly scratched up, wheras the rest of the "service tools" in the tray should be brand new and have no use marks.
 
#12 ·
How do you tie down a car from one point. It wouldn't be very stable.

According to the owners manual:

If towing service is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be temporarily towed by a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing eyelet inside of the front bumper. Use extreme caution when towing vehicles.

I believe it's existance has nothing to do with the fact that it is made in Japan vs. here. Perhaps they use it in shipping too. I have no idea. But, like I said, securing a vehicle from a single point to keep it from moving around during transport would flat out not work.
 
#14 ·
It is fastened to a pallet for shipping \with the front towing eyelet and with two braces threaded into the rear frame which are used by the manufacturers of trailer hitches for their simple mounting applications since the Prius cannot be ordered with any type of towing option.
Quite a few cars are shipped with this holdown system and most trailer hitch manufacturers use the threaded holes for their installations.
 
#20 ·
desertbriez said:
fish_antlers said:
hyperion said:
Did anyone think to include a manual with your new car?
why bother... we have the internet.
so am i the only one that read my manual and my navi manual?
I always read the manual for my new cars--Prius included. The first day I highlight in yellow and star what I need to know and skip a lot of the really technical. Buying a new car is very exciting, so going through the manual is actually rather fun.
 
#21 ·
pyccku said:
Our salesman told us that is where they tie it down when it is shipped over from Japan. Cars made in the US don't need to be shipped on a freighter, so that's why you don't see them on all Toyotas. The Prius is 100% made in Japan, then shipped.
Strange information. Our Prius was assembled in Portland, OR, according to the paperwork it came with.
 
#24 ·
If you look under your Prius you will see two tie down loops at the front and two at the rear. The hole is exclusively for the tow hook. It's not used in shipping. They drive the cars onto and off the boat. The tow hook is offset to avoid the license plate and still tie in to the frame (not the unsupported center of the bumper).

As far as a Prius being "assembled" in Portland, final assembly is done there. Things like "port installed leather" and other options. The car comes basically finished from Japan. I'm not really sure why some leather is done in Japan and some at the port, but it probably has to do with scheduling and changes in requirements (dealers sell more leather that was shipped while the boat is on route for example). It might also have to do with meeting domestic content rules for a lower duty rate.
 
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