We’ve been hearing a lot of pending price hikes recently. Unfortunately for us, automakers are really riled up for profits this year. With legislation hounding them to put in more effort in creating greener vehicles, they surely need the money buffer. And with the prices of just about anything increasing due to inflation, cars are bound to be part of that.

Toyota is probably one of the first to announce their price hikes that would involve 11 vehicles under the Toyota and Lexus badges. The hikes vary per model but expect somewhere from $200 (as with the Yaris) to $900 (as with LS460) additional to the former MSRPs. Sequoia SUV, Tacoma pickup, 2009 Corolla and 2009 Matrix crossover (the Toyota mass staple vehicles) will, however, retain sticker prices (which is actually a good thing).

Toyota cites increasing material cost and current economic conditions (ergo, the sluggish American market) as their reason for bumping prices.

Hold on to your hats as this is just an indicator of things to come.

Source: Automotive News (subscription required)