Posts Tagged ‘Prius News’

Toyota Prius

According to an article from The Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch, on April 30th, Toyota announced global cumulative sales of its hybrid vehicles have surpassed 4 million units. Toyota has always been a leader in quality, fuel efficiency and value, and its dominance of the rapidly growing hybrid market illustrates their commitment to producing environmentally-friendly and technologically advanced vehicles for the mass market.

Although the Prius, which came to North America in 2000, may be most familiar hybrid brand to those of us here in Oregon and across the US, Toyota’s first hybrid vehicle was actually a minibus, the Coaster Hybrid EV.  Debuting in Japan in August 1997, production of the Coaster Hybrid continued until 2007.

According to Toyota, the Prius C and Prius V models, two very recent additions to the family, have already made up approximately 250,000 of those 4 million units sold. Now in its third generation, the Prius makes up the lion’s share of those sales at 2.6 million units. Toyota hybrids don’t stop at the Prius, though. Toyota sells 18 hybrid passenger vehicles across 80 countries. The best-selling passenger car in North America, the Toyota Camry, added the Camry Hybrid to its line in 2006. For those in the market for an SUV, Toyota offers the Highlander Hybrid with seating for up to 7 passengers.

The pace of hybrid vehicle sales has been steadily increasing for Toyota, which hit the one million units sold milestone in May 2007, a decade after the Coaster Hybrid EV premiered. It took 27 months for Toyota to reach the two million mark, and only 18 months to pass three million, which it did in February 2011.

Looking for your own hybrid Toyota? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!

Continuing with a commitment to develop innovative future vehicles, Toyota has is releasing new additions to the Prius family. Last week’s New York Auto Show set the stage for a reveal of the crossover Prius V and a tri-engine electric plug-in version. As reported in a recent New Jersey Newsroom, each vehicle will compete in different car segments.

The Prius V will be one of the newest additions to the crossover segment and is set to compete with the likes of the Honda Crosstour and Nissan Murano. The roomier Prius V achieves only slightly less gas mileage than the original, with an estimated EPA rating of 42 MPG city and 38 MPH highway. This is an impressive feat for a full-sized family ride. Other features include folding second row seats and an Entune multimedia entertainment system.

Competing in an entirely different niche is the Prius Plug-In Electric vehicle. So far, 160 “test” vehicles are already on the road. The new plug-in goes a step further than the original Prius, allowing the driver to use a third power system. The addition of the third has already proved useful in increasing mileage between power-ups.

We can’t wait to see the latest Prius models hitting the pavement early next year.

Looking for your own innovative Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

The Toyota Ideas For Good campaign has attracted thousands of entries, and now comes the hard part. A panel of independent judges will narrow down the submissions to 25 finalists, and all indications suggest they have their work cut out for them.

Toyota asked contestants to submit ideas for how they would use Prius technology to make a better world. Members of the public are encouraged by the advertising campaign to find new, non-automotive applications for five distinct Toyota technologies to ultimately benefit society. One winner in each of the five technology categories will witness their idea spring into reality. Winners will be determined by a formula based on input from the Toyota panel of gurus and the general public. Additionally, winners will receive their pick of a new Prius, Venza or Highlander Hybrid as a prize.

Check out one of the latest videos where engineers from Deeplocal build a solar-powered relief tent!

Looking for your own innovative Toyota vehicle? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

Continuing with their focus on social responsibility, Toyota has launched a campaign to give 100 Toyota vehicles to deserving non-profit organizations in 100 days. All 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply by submitting a brief description of their organization’s mission and how they would use a new Toyota to continue doing good in the community through Facebook. The application deadline is March 21st, or until 5,000 applications are received.

Starting March 25th, an independent panel of six socially-conscious judges from the world of philanthropy and nonprofits will review the most compelling applications and 500 organizations will be announced as finalists around April 11th. The public with then vote using the Toyota 100 Cars for Good Facebook app.

Here is the official promotion video:

Looking for your own innovative Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

It’s official! The plural form of Prius is Prii (pronounced PREE-eye). After asking the public to vote on the plural possibilities through a marketing campaign, Toyota received thousands of votes from across the country.  The campaign featured the famous (and famously spoofed) John Lipton as he used his signature style to interview guests ranging from William Shakespeare to a child spelling bee champ. “Prii” received 25% of votes, while the “Prius” came in a close second with 24%.

Here’s the official announcement:







Check out our selection of Prii and other innovative Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com with a full list of new and used vehicles!