Toyota Prius: Jump start for sales
For its first month on sale, Toyota's third-generation Prius has set a new record -- and in record timeToyota Prius i-Tech
Read our Toyota Prius news report here.
Toyota's Prius has posted a new record in its first month on sale. 446 buyers purchased the hybrid-drive passenger car, in just 11 days between the official on-sale date (July 20) and the end of the month.
The figure of 446 units was over 60 better than the previous sales record for Prius, recorded back in May 2007.
"The success of Prius reflects the growing popularity of vehicles that are viewed as environmentally friendly," said Toyota Australia's senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner.
"At the same time, customers are telling us they welcome the added performance, space and versatility of the new car -- as well as smart features such as solar panels on the roof."
According to Toyota, the Prius has been selling strongly in Japan also. 10,915 units were sold there in May, for Prius to take the guernsey as top-selling car for the month. For June, the car more than doubled that result, selling 22,292 units and retaining the top spot.
While the result straight out of the blocks here in Australia is a good one for the Prius, hybrid-drive vehicles are arguably harder to sell than diesels, just as diesels were hard to sell just a couple of years ago. As more hybrid-drive vehicles enter the market, however, and the purchase price descends, expect more buyers to line up for them. Honda's Insight is on the horizon and due within perhaps 12 months, but in the meantime the Prius has its own little market niche sewn up.
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