Toyota announced that worldwide cumulative sales of the Prius gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle passed the 3-million mark.
The Prius, which was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger car, was launched in 1997. The second generation followed in 2003, and the third generation in 2009.
From the first to third generation, Toyota said it reduced the cost of the hybrid system by two-thirds while improving the EPA-estimated ratings for combined driving by nearly 22%.
In addition, Toyota said it applied for 1,261 patents relating to the third-generation Prius, achieving progress worthy of the Prius name derived from a Latin word meaning “to go before”.
Source: Toyota
