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Major increase in Prius shipments will reduce backorders
Reflecting strong sales and consumer demand, Toyota will more than double the Prius allocation for the U.S. market to 100,000 in 2005, compared with 47,000 in 2004. Toyota plans to expand monthly Prius production for the world market to 15,000 in 2005, up from 10,000 in 2004.
This increase in production gives prospective Prius buyers cause to cheer. Delays in delivery should be reduced throughout 2005 as shipments to the U.S. begin to catch up with sales. Already in 2005, the average wait is beginning to improve-beyond what it was in 2004. So please stay tuned and for the most current information on availability in your community, contact your local Toyota dealer.
More than 120,000 Prius in the U.S.
More than 120,000 Prius have been sold in the U.S. market with more than 50,000 sold in 2004. Prius has enjoyed a steady acceleration in U.S. sales since its 2000 debut, making the transition from early-adopter vehicle to award-winning market phenomenon in four years.
From 2000 to 2003, the U.S. Prius fleet grew steadily, as the first generation of "Prius Pioneers" helped introduce hybrid vehicles to a wider market. The next-generation 2004 model appeared in October 2003 with the first use of Hybrid Synergy Drive®, and sales took off in a serious way. Larger, restyled and more powerful, the new Prius caught the attention of car buyers, competitors and the automotive press, winning many major awards, including North American Car of the Year. Prius hit just the right note at the right moment. In October 2004, total U.S. sales reached the 100,000 mark, securing Prius' place in automotive history as the car that put hybrids on the map.
European Car of the Year
Prius has just been named the European Car of the Year by a panel of 58 journalists representing seven automotive magazines-only the third time since the 1960s that a Japanese car has received the award.
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