The original leads all in hybrid sales.
Toyota has been at the forefront of hybrid technology for over a decade. When the Prius, the anchor of the current Toyota hybrid lineup, was introduced to North America in 2000, some wondered if it would resonate with consumers. It has.
Toyota announced in May that worldwide Prius sales have now topped 1 million with about 1,028,000 units sold as of the end of April. That number continues to grow rapidly and with good reason. The current economic climate coupled with the cost of fuel has made Prius one of Toyota’s best sellers in 2008.
Prius’ EPA fuel rating is the main reason its current popularity is impressive, but some people have really pushed the limits of the Prius to maximize their fuel efficiency. Hypermiler Dan Bryant of Houston managed to eke out 106 miles per gallon from a Prius at the Hybridfest Fair in 2007, ranking him second in the country. Hypermilers are people seeking to optimize fuel economy by modifying their driving habits.
While achieving Bryant’s number is unlikely for the average driver, consider this: In a recent over-the-road test, a hypermiler who drove a Prius from Chicago to New York achieved an incredible 71 miles per gallon. The driver reportedly used 8.8 gallons of gas and did it in 17 hours.
Results like those have consumers craving more hybrid options. Not surprisingly, Toyota plans to boost production of the batteries which are at the heart of the Hybrid Synergy Drive. With the supply of batteries scheduled to dramatically increase in 2009, Toyota hopes to sell 1 million hybrids a year by the early 2010’s.
Think that goal seems a bit far fetched? Prius sales for 2008 were already approaching 80,000 units by the end of May with dealers unable to keep the eco-friendly car on the lot. With Toyota Hybrids being sold in more than 40 countries and the increasing popularity of Camry and Highlander Hybrid editions, Toyota believes their goal is well within reach. Toyota currently leads the world’s automakers with total hybrid sales of more than 1.5 million to date.
To learn more about Toyota Hybrids and get some tips on how to maximize your fuel efficiency, check out the Hybrid Tour of Texas featuring Bryant and Michael Garfield, “The High Tech Texan.” Garfield and Bryant tour five Texas cities and demonstrate driving techniques to increase MPG as well as the fuel efficiency of the Toyota Prius. They travel to Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston.
Garfield drives a Prius in a normal driving fashion. Bryant drives the same route exercising techniques to maximize fuel economy. Drive times and gas mileage are announced at each stop
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