The Toyota Prius is one of the most important cars of the past 20 years - here's a look back
Toyota
- The Toyota Prius turns 20 this month.
- It's the most successful hybrid of all time.
- It's also an unlikely automotive icon.
In the history of the automobile, there have been iconic sets of wheels, but only two cars that could truly be called groundbreaking.
The Ford Model T - and the Toyota Prius.
Sorry, Mustang. Sorry, Corvette. Sorry, Tesla Model S. The Ford Model T created the mass-market motorcar. And the Prius perfected it for the 20th century.
The Prius is now 20 years old. It went on sale in Japan in December of 1997. And as Wards Auto pointed out:
Since its launch, Toyota has sold 4.3 million units. Cumulative hybrid sales by the automaker, including 36 other Toyota and Lexus models introduced over the past two decades, have grown to 11 million, including 1.5 million this year. Of these, 220,000 are Priuses.
No other hybrid model by any other automaker, including Toyota, is close. No other automaker is close. Honda, ranked second, has sold 2 million hybrids. The rest of the industry combined has delivered an estimated 2 million.
That's impressive. And after two decades of dominance, the Prius might be heading for decline, as hybrids are surpassed by all-electric cars.
Still, the Prius remains the Prius - homely, sincere, and an unlikely blockbuster. Here's a look back:
- Some Tesla factory workers realized they were laid off when security scanned their badges and sent them back on shuttles, sources say
- I tutor the children of some of Dubai's richest people. One of them paid me $3,000 to do his homework.
- India not benefiting from democratic dividend; young have a Kohli mentality, says Raghuram Rajan
- Indo-Gangetic Plains, home to half the Indian population, to soon become hotspot of extreme climate events: study
- 7 Vegetables you shouldn’t peel before eating to get the most nutrients
- Gut check: 10 High-fiber foods to add to your diet to support digestive balance
- 10 Foods that can harm Your bone and joint health
- 6 Lesser-known places to visit near Mussoorie