[bwilson4web]

http://pressroom.toyota.com/article_...&view_id=27889

April 06, 2011
Toyota Sells One-Millionth Prius in the U.S.

TORRANCE, Calif., April 5, 2011 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced the one-millionth sale of the Toyota Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid gas-electric vehicle, in the United States. It is the third milestone for Toyota’s hybrid lineup in the last six months that started with the announcement of worldwide Toyota Prius sales topping two million in October 2010 and overall global Toyota hybrid sales passing three million last month.

“Since the Prius went on sale eleven 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. “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.”
. . .

I'm reminded of:

• CNW Marketing claiming the Hummer is 'greener' than the Prius . . . Where is the Hummer?
• Lutz's snarky remarks about 'hairly legged women Prius drivers'
• EU claims 'the Prius is marketing success and can not be making a profit'
• Consumer Reports (corrected) claim 'the Prius makes no economic sense'
• Sunday Mail report (retracted) of 'nickel mine environmental disaster to make just Prius batteries'
• Green Human (tied in mileage) Prius vs Jetta TDI race Portland Maine to Seattle Washington

Sad to say, S.841 got through. One marginal NHTSA report claimed on slim data the Prius is a danger to pedestrians ... even though the fatal pedestrian and accident rate is half that of the USA fleet. A big lie sometimes wins but ultimately, it won't matter because the best possible result is Prius will be just as deadly to pedestrians as any gasser today.

Bob Wilson