| Toyota Motor Corp., the world's top seller of | | | | 235,000 hybrids globally. The number is four times |
| gasoline-electric autos and the second top automaker | | | | more than the sales of Honda Motor Co. The latter is |
| worldwide, may turn its mighty Prius into a full line of | | | | the second ranking automaker in said segment. |
| vehicles. This move is intended to triple its hybrid sales | | | | One of Toyota's prides in terms of hybrid technology |
| in the United States. | | | | is Prius. The vehicle is the world's first hybrid that is |
| US will account for more than half a million hybrid cars | | | | commercially mass-produced. It went on sale |
| and light trucks. According to Jim Lentz, executive vice | | | | internationally in 1997. In the US, Prius is linked with |
| president of Toyota U.S. sales unit, "The automaker | | | | environmentalist and liberal politics. It is famed by |
| plans to sell worldwide each year by early next | | | | celebrities who want to pursue environmental cause. |
| decade. Prius-based models might include a wagon | | | | The 2004 model of Prius is a redesigned version. Said |
| and a smaller car." | | | | car is based on Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD). |
| "For us to do 600,000, there will probably have to be | | | | Two years after, Prius is given minor cosmetic |
| Prius and derivatives of Prius that are selling in the | | | | changes to boost safety and ergonomics. Finally, the |
| neighborhood of 300,000 to 400,000. We don't have | | | | 2007 version of the vehicle is given new features and |
| any plans to do that right now, but that's the direction | | | | enhanced Toyota car parts to make it more |
| that nameplate can go, because it is that strong," Lentz | | | | sophisticated, high-performing and safe. |
| said at the Specialty Equipment Market Association | | | | Moreover, the Touring edition of Prius is given bigger |
| trade show in Las Vegas. | | | | and sharper-pointed 7-spoke, 16-inch alloy wheels with |
| So far, among auto giants, Toyota is making the most | | | | plastic hub cab cover, elongated larger rear spoiler, |
| aggressive promotion of gasoline-electric vehicles as | | | | firmer suspension, integrated foglights and advanced |
| the best obtainable option to control fuel consumption | | | | headlights for added protection and power. |
| and exhaust emissions. In 2005, the automaker sold | | | | |