Cumulative Prius Sales Have Topped 1M

Toyota reports that worldwide sales of its Prius model have topped one million units. The hybrid gas-electric vehicle originally hit the market in 1997 in Japan. Since that time, the Prius has been sold in 39 other countries. While Toyota markets other hybrid vehicles, the Prius accounts for more than 70 percent of the company's hybrid sales. More than half of those sales have occurred in the North American markets.

According to the company, it plans to sell one million hybrids per year sometime after 2010 - figures that would include sales of all hybrid vehicles in the Toyota line. The company believes that sales of the Prius have reduced CO2 emissions by 4.5 million metric tons since the vehicle was introduced. Current mileage estimates for the Prius vary, but the company offers figures of 48 mpg city and 45 mpg highway. Federal government tests have put the mileage of the vehicle as high as 55 mpg. The city estimates on hybrids are typically better than their highway mileage because the vehicles are designed for start-and-stop traffic.

Toyota also recently announced that cumulative sales of the Prius have topped 100,000 units in Europe. The company also expects its sales volume, currently just over 32,000 units annually, to more than double by 2009 to approximately 70,000 units annually. Overall, the company, along with its Lexus division, have four hybrid models for sale in the European market.

Source: Toyota
Photo Courtesy of Toyota