On Tuesday, Toyota Motor Sales in the United States announced its one-millionth sale of a Toyota Prius within one of its largest markets—the United States.
Toyota Prius is a full hybrid, electric, mid-sized hatchback vehicle, which has been rated by the EPA and California Air Resource Board (CARB) among the cleanest vehicles sold in the United States based on smog-forming and toxic emissions. Toyota Prius was also the world’s first mass-produced hybrid gas-electric vehicle.
“Since the Prius went on sale 11 years ago not a year has gone by when it hasn’t been the number one selling hybrid vehicle in the U.S,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager in a company statement.
“Prius has become synonymous with the word hybrid, and as we see fuel prices starting to rise again, it has accounted for more than 60 percent of hybrid passenger car sales so far this year. Prius paved the way for hybrids, and while it is still the hybrid leader in sales and fuel economy, I’m proud to say that since its introduction, 13 other auto brands have seen the benefits of hybrid technology and joined the hybrid market.”
Toyota Prius with its 50 mpg combined comes as a godsend with its low fuel consumption and eco–friendly hybrid drive. The car was listed by the EPA last year as the second most efficient 2010 vehicle sold in the United States, topped only by the new Chevrolet Volt for which EPA estimates 60 mpg combined gas mileage.
IntelliChoice, a leading source of information for car ownership, identified the Prius as one of best-in-class vehicles for 2010 that deliver lower cost over time and as a best car value under $24,000. Among other features the growing in popularity hybrid vehicle features a sleek design and a highly rigid body for reduced noise and vibration.
Toyota Motor Corporation aims to boost demand for Prius as the company showed its new Prius v at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2011. Prius v was introduced as the first member of the Prius family and will go on sale in the third quarter of 2011. It is a mid-sized vehicle that provides 50 percent more cargo space than the current Prius.
In early 2012, Toyota is expected to launch the Prius C and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle.
