Prius sales top One Million
May 15, 2008 by George Skentzos
Worldwide sales of the world’s first mass-produced petrol-electric hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Prius, has surpassed the one million mark.
By the end of April, Toyota had sold 1,028,000 examples of the Prius, with Australia contributing for just over 9,300 of the total.
Toyota Motor Corporation estimates the success of the Prius has reduced carbon-dioxide emissions by about 4.5 million tonnes worldwide.
The company said the estimated reduction was compared with petrol-only vehicles in the same class and of similar size and driving performance – like a Golf Kart.
The Prius is currently sold in 40 countries, and has taken eight years since it was first released to reach the half a million sales mark, with the other half accumulated in just two more years.
The largest market for the Prius is North America with 590,000 sold, followed by 315,000 in Japan, 100,000 in Europe and 20,000 throughout the rest of the world.
Australian sales of the Prius increased by more than 60 per cent last year alone to a record of 3,176 cars due largely to improved availability.
Print it: 
Aww, Bavarian Missile, you’re back! I know I’ve been a bit quiet around the traps, but haven’t had much free time to indulge in blogs or emails.
wbc…mmmmm, choice!
Hey Jimbo, it’s a 1.9 with 6 speed manual.
Bavarian – be resonable in our critism.
Yes i am a relatively envornmentaly friendly person (well … certainly try to be) but with a lovely wife and 2 young children who are still in toddler seats, i require a decent enough size motor-vehicle and the Camry is a comfortable size while sporting a 4 cyl engine.
You have children so you would understand how much room in the back seat toddler seats occupy so try squezzing those into a Prius.
Although the economy of the 4cyl Camry is about par with most six cylinders on the highway, they remain considerably more efficent around town were the majority of our kilometers are travelled.
As i stated earlier – i have been using premium fuel for many years now while another environmentally way of looking at things is to buy a quality car that is renouned for being reliable and dependable because then – less components are utilised over the life of the car to keep them servicable.
So … not only is the my Camry Sportivo a comfortable size to accomodate the family, it has the efficency of a 4cyl (manual at that) that is reliable, dependable and durable not to mention cheap to maintain.
Oh yeah – don’t get abusive because you are the person who has voiced thier opinion in the past about being abusive.
Again … you have proven that you are a hypocrite and better still, i bet you don’t report yourself to Alborz for the personal attack.
Keep in mind who gets upset over personal attacks.
HYPOCRITE !!
Whoa. Toyota Supporter, I think you need to pour your self a big old cup of calm down juice there champ.
His post didn’t seem that personal to me. I think you just read into posts what you want too. Like the way you see the word Toyota, when no one is writing it.
Also I don’t think you have ever looked inside a Prius because they have acres of room inside. On a par if not more than the camry. If your going to be that insanely loyal to the Prius and Toyota, put you money where your mouth is.
Don’t get so upset man, its only a car blog.
Jimbo – lithium-ion batteries will certainly be a better option and improve the stance hybrid technology but unfortunately, further development is still required because of the associated cooling required.
I believe GM and even BMW (or was that Mercedez Benz) believe they are confident with thier cooling method but Toyota at this stage remains sceptical.
Sense Toyota has been the leading brand in the deveolpment of hybrid dricetrains, i am sure they have good reasons for thier opinion.
P.S If money is an issue, like it is for us all. You can pick up a second hand prius that has done less than 60000km for less than $24K. I just checked carsales. Thats less than a second hand camry in some cases.
Jimbo – take it easy yourself.
Bavarian is a ’she’ and in the past has been been upset about personal attacks to the point she has even reported abusive behaviuor when she has been every bit as quilty herself.
I have read the comment as it was written but the point is – Bavarian has to start practicing what she preaches and stop being a hyprocrite… PERIOD !!
That said – i have stated nothing about being loyal to the Prius (or any othetr hybrid for that matter) while the Prius infact has much less room then a Camry. There is no comparison.
Take it easy yourself because someone is defending the Prius with good grounds. Maybe you haven’t acknowdged all factors so don’t get upset with other people when challenged.
And at the end of the day – it is only a car blog so bare that in mind.
Jimbo – not interested in a Prius – to small … PERIOD !!
But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make a case for exsistance amoung the vast diversity of the automotive market.
Who was being abusive …your the king of that .Whos needs the tissue now Dingo…hahaha I think your mixing up sarcasm and being a hypocrite Dingo……they are totally different.I report disgustingly abusive behavior like you supporting my ex being a husband beater one Friday night over clearly what we all thought was below the belt,if you think Im out of line feel free to report me ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!!!!!
Ok,ok lets just agree to disagree and move on.
Oh and for the record, I drive a diesel Land Cruiser at work and I think it is a brilliant car. Reliable and thrifty in its own giant, fuel guzzling way. But I don’t pay for its fuel so who cares.
On ya Jimbo,had a Diesel Cruiser too……..great tow vehicles. Understand Im not a Toyota hater just against Toyota extremists………mind you I have nothing good to say on a Prius !
You work for the mining industry too Jimbo??
Time to move to another thread before Dingo returns and this thread become another rant .
If you type in Prius at the top of the page Jimbo you will see a search on them for this site click on any of them and you will see Dingo has said it all before.Very ground hog day like!!
Bavarian Missile, No I work for the Fed Gov in regional VIC. I take it you work in the mining industry, what made you think that I did?
I think your right though , it is time to move to another thread, I keep picturing this wild eye guy with Toyota tattoos, adding peoples blog names to his “Too Kill” List.
Jimbo – i am not like that at all.
Take it is easy !!
However, i will challenge comments that i believe are wrong, bias or disconnected from reality.
There is nothing wrong thinking about hybrid technology on a broaden scale instead of the typical normal, narrow minded views some exhibit instead of indulging into detail to maybe discover good grounds why a greater amount of automotive manufactuers are investing into hybrid technology.
Have a think about !!
Camry…Golf…Prius…mine is bigger than yours…go to a chat room and finish it there.
In the grand scheme of the world market, a million cars is bugger all. The Prius is in the limelight because it became the first mass-produced hybrid available. To even the balance of all the good Toyota has done since 1999, Ford sell over 1 million F-trucks a year in the US alone…take that environment!
Welcome to our world, Jimbo. True colours, these, in case you’re wondering.
Pirus= 10 year old tech for premium price=Toyota ripoff.
Yes, diesel i30 a has so many advantages over this relic known as the Pirus.
TS, your right hybrid technology is worth considering, but in my opinion diesel at the moment is a far superior choice to fill the hydrogen gap. By the time hybrid cars reach their full potential and we have producted millions of great big dirty batteries we could be driving hydrogen cars.
Have a think about it!!
Jimbo – and if those batteries are disposed off correctly then what is the problem.
And what about the new diesels when they become old and start blowing dirty, black smoke uncontrollably into the atmosphere.
Have a think about that !!
Realcars – sorry, i must have missed it … i didn’t see the I30 drivetrain win the 2008 World Green Engine Of The Year.
Now that i think of it – it didn’t because the Prius drivetrain did … mmm !!
hahaha on your description of Dingo Jimbo, thought you may have been in the mining industry when you said you had a diesel cruiser, no I dont work in the mining industry my ex did both my brothers do and my best friend husband has for 20 years.
Dingo says..\\\”If your ex-husband bashed you about the head a few times then brilliant, but i don’t hit woman.\\\”/women
As I said previously Dingo your a supporter of women bashers,that makes you just as bad!!!! Tell me how Im a hypocrite again??????mmmmmmmmmm So like you to confuse things just like history and heritage with Toyota,Ford and Holden in this great country of ours!!
Oh and thanks for reminding me of the World awards too.
nternational Engine of the Year 2008
BMW 3-litre Twin-Turbo (135i, 335i, X6)
Best New Engine of 2008
BMW 2-litre Diesel Twin-Turbo (123D)
Green Engine of the Year
Toyota 1.5-litre Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)BMW couldn’t be bothered or anyone else for that matter!!!!!!!!!
Best Performance Engine
Porsche 3.6-litre Turbo (911 Turbo, 911 GT2)
Sub 1-litre
Toyota 1-litre (Aygo, Yaris, Peugeot 107, Citroën C1, Subaru Justy)
1-litre to 1.4-litre
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Golf, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta)
1.4-litre to 1.8-litre
BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (MINI Cooper S, Clubman, Peugeot 207, 308)
1.8-litre to 2-litre
Volkswagen/Audi 2-litre Turbo (A3, A4 Cabrio, A6, TT, Eos, Jetta, Golf GTi, Altea, Leon, Skoda Octavia)
2-litre to 2.5-litre
Subaru 2.5-litre Turbo (Forester, Impreza, Outback, Legacy)
2.5-litre to 3-litre
BMW 3-litre Twin-Turbo (135i, 335i, X6)
3-litre to 4-litre
BMW 4-litre V8 (M3)
Above 4-litre
BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)
On ya BMW STILL THE WORLD CHAMP…wheres you Lexus now Dingo???????mmmmmmmm
TS – switch to CD’s man your record is broken.
Oh and for a Diesel mechanic I thought you would know what a drive train is Dingo??? Engine is the engine not a drivetrain….look it up in your funk and wagnells……..
quote to Realcars \”Realcars – sorry, i must have missed it … i didn’t see the I30 drivetrain win the 2008 World Green Engine Of The Year.
Now that i think of it – it didn’t because the Prius drivetrain did\”
Um no it didn\’t Dingo Prius ENGINE DID!!!!!!!DER…
Bavarian – Lexus is making the best quality cars in the world. See the latest JD Powers UK Customer Satisfaction Survey … Lexus No.1 – BMW nowere near.
Infact, BMW is always a distant placing in quality/customer Satisfaction Surveys compared to Lexus.
So were is BMW in those awards !!
Bavarian – your husband bashed you around the head a few times.
Sarcasm … that’s OK – remember !!
Jimbo – take some of that chillout juice, it’s just cars … remember !!
They don’t give out awards or trophies for topping a survey the only thing a manufacturer can claim is bragging rights
As most educated people know surveys and statistics can be and usually are manipulated inorder to achieve a preset goal; as they based on personal opinion and open to interpretation because it all depends on: Who you ask how you word the question etc
Whereas the International Engine Awards etc often involve standardised testing procedures etc to see how well the car or a component of the car performs which means there is physical proof that your car is better than the competition and thats why things like COTY awards have a lot more weight behind them than any half arsed obscure survey
Surveys are Subjective Awards are Objective – the only exception is probably ANCRAP tests as they are carried out in controlled conditions at a purpose built facility[indoors] and don’t allow for any influence form external factors like road surface weather conditions or even human input etc
Why is it Toyota Supporter; that you are so keen to keep this particular Toyota blog “on topic” yet you have no problem hijacking other blogs on this site which are NOTHING to do with Toyota?
could it be that you are unable to talk about any other make/model of car because you don’t know anything about them – but you want to be involved in the discussion so at any given opportunity mention Toyota.
Or is it that; as Bavarian Missile illuded to you yourself are the HYPOCRITE with your double standards etc. you can’t have it [take it] both ways
This isn’t a personal attack it’s just as a matter of interest.
Quote Toyota Supporter: However; i will challenge comments that i believe are wrong, bias or disconnected from reality.
If that the case you must challenge yourself quite alot then when you visit this site.
Note Sarcasm – [Look it up in the dictionary]
Wheelnut – out of interest, why do people like yourself and a few other regulars find it necessary to critise Toyota more then another are particular brand.
It is because they have overtaken General Motors and Ford !!
Critism has been aimed at Toyota for investing into hybrid technology yet i do not see many of those same people take aim at all the other manufactuers investing into the same technology.
I haven’t seen Bavarian critise BMW’s involvement in hybrid technology yet …
Can yo see were i am traveling with this.
What i don’t like is rot comments that are not even remotely contected to reality.
What you under-estimate is the repetitive critism from peope like yourself time after time yet you don’t recognise that … do you !!
The same rot from the same people.
I exhibit considerable knowledge about most manufactuers which has been evident in my ability to challenge people like yourself.
What would you like to know about Holden – as much i am not a Holden man by far, i can guarantee you that i exhibit alot more knowledge about Holden (and GM in general) then yourself.
Feel free to take the challenge if you can … we’ll see who has the standards.
Oh yeah – and remind me who exactly is holding you captive and forcing you read my posts …
Just out of interest – i would like to know who that person is.
Prius What a shit car…………….
Wheelnut – i feel the exact same way about people like yourself.
Lets GET something straight here – i am big on referring to facts and figures with referances supplied in many of my comments which is holds alot more value then rot comments that ussually can not even be supported.
What’s the real problem here Wheelnut – my habit of highlighting or divulging into a topic more then people like yourself whould have considered otherwise.
Try thinking outside of the ‘norm’ for once and you just may discover that there is usually more to a subject then meets the eye.
eg … if i did not participate in this subject then the odds are, most critics would have critised the Prius and Toyota’s involvement in hybrid technology with out giving a moments thought towards all the other manufactuers following suit yet because i have offered challenge – it has forced critics acknowle
ge otherwise … am i wrong – PROBABLY NOT !!
Another eg … Bavarian has been rather vocal about her opposition against hybrid technology so naturally has taken aim towards Toyota on any occassion were possible yet has she every critised BMW for following suit .. NO !!
Just out of interest … WHY NOT !!
Nothing comes more sh*t then a Daewoo sold by Holden
Yea it does,Toyota Prius and its special features.Shit handling,shit go,shit looks,and it is shit for the enviroment(Makes the enviroment look shit)All this equels a shit box.Im am not referring to facts and figures i am just saying what people say.I think a Viva would be faster anyway
problem is Toyota Supporter – you only want to believe “facts” that support your point of view and u belittle any one that has a differnt view or attempt to discredit thier source – try to atleast appear to not be so bias
Toyota Supporter your quote from 9.18 “many tonnes of uncontrolled CO2 emissions into the atmosphere after thousands of traveled kilometers”
Take it that you mean from all fossil fuel vehicles including the Prius.
I take you points generally but the whole thing about the Prius being green is really a red herring. I for one would not yet buy a hybrid on the grounds of it being green when it is simply not. It has been stated that current batteries used in Hybrids are only at hteir peak performance for 2 years, then the levels reduce. A la your laptop battery. Knackered after two years.
I also note the Green engine of the year has only ever been given to the Prius. That in itself I think is a sad enditement of the award process when in reality the jury I presume will only consider a hybrid. Besides that the Engine of a prius is as you state to become a standard Corolla engine, its the rest of the engineering that makes the Prius so called green (its not) therefore its not really the engine but nearly the whole car. That particlular award IMO is as TP says “floored” anyone else wold say flawed.
Toyota Supporter,
Finally we agree!! Holden has gone down the toilet ever since they started selling sub standard Daewoo’s with Holden badges on. I think all who visit car advice can agree with that point.
But I think its best that if like me you just agree to disagree on this particular issue. Because now you’re starting to come off as seeming a little crazy.
And not like “hey that guy is crazy fun”, more like “that guy is crazy!”.
Carl,
i totally agree with you mate.
i currently have a falcon ute on LPG and its not the “greeny” thing that gets me excited.
it saves me a bucket load of cash each week, and i still am able to drive a comfortable vehicle.
ive been using LPG since petrol was around 70c per litre.
it didnt seem like much of a saving back then where i went from 50 bucks a week to 25 bucks a week for fuel, but it certainly does now when it costs me 40 bucks versus what my mate told me it cost him to fill up the other day.
he said he had put a record 90 bucks in his commodore ute.
the only thing that will drive me into a greener option is the bottom dollar. i couldnt really care less that LPG is a greener option, its the bottom line that gets me excited.
and lets be honest, we are all the same.
in the example of hybrid cars, it is a case of “False Economy”
they cost a hell of a lot more to purchase, and arent as efficient as the concept may make it sound.
and above all that, who wants to compromise on comfort and space????????
With regards to the Hybrid technology in general – Where does this place cars such as the GS450h, RX400h and LS600hL (I use the 3 Lexus as examples because currently there aren’t any others like it)?
What I want to put forward is this, if someone wants the performance of a V8 but can get the economy of a V6, isn’t that a win, win situation?
Is that being greener because of the purchase of a V6 (with V8 performance) rather than a V8?
Or are they still buying “gas guzzlers” and would be better off driving a Golf (which i’ve seen repeated many times in this thread)?
Also, the engine awards, when it comes right down to it though, not everyone can afford BMW’s sweet 6’s, screamy V8’s or musical V10’s. So that’s good an all that they won but consider this. Say I want to spend $60,000. From there I then get to choose my own “engine award” in the $60,000 category.
For example the Holden Calais V8 V, V’s, BMW 550i. When price is not an issue, naturally the 550i will win, but if I have $60,000 to spend, there’s an obvious winner of my “engine award”.
and that obvious winner would be the aussie I6 Turbo Right?
Lexus Supporter Says: May 16th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
“Bavarian – your husband bashed you around the head a few times”
NM response………..this is wrong and keep story online. One does not comment personal to this savage extent. So I would conclude, find REG REAGAN (aka Mathew Johns) off the FOOTYSHOW and let him give you some stiff hard uppercuts quite brutal. How dare you state that to BM!
Back on laughs (as NOBODY ELSE REALLY HAS LAUGHS ON HERE YOU SAD OBSESSED CAR LOT….ha ha. Mix some humour into your comments and cut the BS I only love Holden or I only love Ford or I only love Toyota – obsessive mindset).
I agree with NO NAME. Being a builder and seeing the word floored has really floored me with laughs. There are obvious flaws to the origin of the comments carried by the self proclaimed smart one…..mind you who cant spell as excited and foaming from mouth to type 198 words a minute. Should I say OOOCH (seems like a dog or dingo calling) as better to say OOUCH as my comment rings truth!
Considering how the current model has been selling since 2004 and the newer technology diesels are just on par or so with it (depending on driving conditions, on the highway diesel should win, in the city it’s the Prius) should be a testament to the efficiency of the Prius.
When the next model comes along, efficiency will jump again, and the process will repeat, as long as hybrid cars continue.
Toyota Supporter,TS,Dingo,Lexus Supporter,Mikka,Bob,Michelle or whom ever you want to call yourself,as Wheelnut says a Survey is hardly a WORLD AWARD SYSTEM as what the one given and provided by the Worlds best jernos….NOT THE SAME.You still cant give credit where credit is due can you yet you acknowledge Prius in the awards….
In regard to BMW in hybrids…..they don’t make them yet,HYDROGEN is what they have been involved with till now. BMW have their fuel efficient Diesels remember the test against the 5 series and the Prius……mmmmmmmm
Have a read for your self,sorry its not a survey!!
“”BMW may have just internationally unveiled its crossover off-roader/coupe, the X6, but there’s an even more exotic version heading our way.
The company confirmed last year that the new X6 would be the model to debut its hybrid technology. At the launch of the X6, BMW remained tight-lipped about the hybrid model but Drive has learned it will use an electric motor combined with the 4.4-litre, V8 petrol engine.
It is expected to produce more power than the petrol-only V8 to compensate for the extra weight (about 200 kg) the hybrid system adds to the car. Performance is expected to be similar to the petrol-only V8. The hybrid is expected to be 10%-20% more efficient than the V8 petrol-only model.
It will be a two-mode hybrid system but won’t work like current hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius. The Prius’ electric engine powers it from stationary to about 30 km/h, where the petrol engine takes over. It is very efficient in stop-start traffic, as the Prius can travel solely on the electric engine. But it is not as efficient at freeway speeds.
The X6’s system works differently: it assists the petrol engine at speed or when overtaking.
There will be key features on the outside to distinguish it from the other X6 models, such as special wheels, a different body kit and different colour choices but, according to BMW’s US marketing manager Clemens Zimmermann, the differences will be subtle.
BMW expects the hybrid model to sell in small numbers.
A hybrid version of the 7-Series is expected to follow soon, with the all-new-generation 7-Series due next year.”"
Ok read that did you?????????? SMALL NUMBERS THEY EXPECT TO SELL,why?? Cause I guess there are a few BMW greenys out there that don’t want to be seen in an ugly Prius ,mind you my money is on BMW to make a better hybrid than Toyota can.Ill be interested to see how much better it is over their current diesels for efficiency!
O and I don’t think you meant the bash around the head as sarcasm ,if you did your even more warped than we all thought you were.
Thanks for the support NM,I know your a BIG supporter of equal rights when it comes to men bashing women or those that support them. Im not one for violence but revenge is sweet on low life’s like them.
Funny how our Dingo starts on Holden and Ford when he cant defend his PRECIOUS Toyota.Can he see no bad in them??
Prius?
Gimmick!!
Its a shame our governments spend our money on these vehicles thinking they are environmentally friendly. There are better options.
BM: Oh and I don’t think you meant the bash around the head as sarcasm ,if you did your even more warped than we all thought you were.
Too right BM; its like saying I shot him with a Machine Gun but I was only joking
Sarcasm – is more like saying Channel 7’s telecast of the V8 Supercar Championship is the best ever..
wheelnut,
off topic i know, but on that,
i still dont get why people whinge so much about ch7’s coverage……..
they actually give it more time on the screen than what 10 was giving it.
plus you dont have to wait up till 10-11pm to watch saturdays happenings
Andrew M – 7 may give the V8s more air time but during that time they also whack in more ads..
I remember a race last year – I think it was Barbagallo; when Skaife was coming 3rd.. 7 went to a break consisting of 12-14 ads [ bearing in mind TV stations don't include promotions for TV shows as ads].. when we finally came back Skaife was 20th.. and there was no explanation as to why let a lone a replay etc.
As for not having to wait up til 10pm.. you do if you live in a predominantly AFL town like WA SA or VIC.
The other thing is that at the last round during the V8 telecast 7 also showed the Porsche cup series races… yet they are apparently showing them again this weekend. Why.
Bavarian – You have critized Toyota heavily for investing in Hybrid Technology but now that BMW (and many other manufactuers) has decided to follow suit … you have not critized them.
WHY NOT !!
Is it because it is your PRECIOUS BMW so Hybrid Technology is now OK … mmm !!
Wheelnut,
i honestly havent found the telecast to be that bad.
we usually get telecast shortly after midday here on saturday and sunday.
and so what if they show the porsche’s twice (i havent noticed that).
showing the carrera cup twice isnt a black mark on the V8 telecast
F..k O.. Dingo,god your pathetic,I don’t even know the fuel figures for the BMW yet or the breakdown of its recyclable components or anything else compared to Toyota yet so off your soap box. You thought BMW had been doing them already and I provided you evidence they haven’t and all you can come back with is me being a hypocrite??? why…. I don’t and you don’t know anything about BMW hybrids yet,still I think its just BMW trying to get a slice of the hybrid con pie in the sky….{that they admit them self will be very few},grow up BOB. Me……..if I cared how big a carbon foot print I make would still go for the diesel I’m a big enough person to say and stand behind my beliefs you on the other hand stand behind surveys and the Worlds most boring manufacturer..enough said!
Bavarian – cut the hoo haa drama queen act !!
You have heavily critised Toyota’s involvemnt in developing hybrid technology but you have not passed the same critism towards tour PRECIOUS BMW.
Remember your arguement against batteries, mining of material to make batteries, disposal of batteries and so forth – will be no different with BMW so why haven’t you critised them for following suit.
My point made … it is not really hybrid tech you have a problem with – it’s Toyota !!
bangs head on desk…….turns computer off!