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Featured Hybrid Car:

2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid Car

The 2008 Toyota Prius at NAIAS 2008 will still be a 2nd generation Hybrid Synergy Drive Vehicle until sometime in 2009 according to the latest reports when the Prius and all Toyota hybrids become third generation hybrid synergy drive hybrids. Check back soon for more information on the Toyota Prius.

Toyota Prius Hybrid Car     -->> Hybrid Car Club

(Updated: February 2008)

I thought the biggest story regarding the Toyota Prius hybrid car in 2007 was going to be what would happen when tax credits for the Prius were fully expired? Would sales slow? 

Sales did not slow. In fact Toyota has experienced a significant increase in the sales of the Toyota Prius in 2007, and one can only wonder how many more Prius hybrid cars Toyota would be selling if tax credits were still available.

Nonetheless, the Toyota Prius has become one of the Top 10 selling cars in America. Not too bad for a niche.

--> Customized your hybrid yet?

In early 2008, the Prius is again off to a good start, as Toyota posted a large increase in Prius sales in January 2008 compared to January 2007. 

Has Prius success been caused by high gas prices, greater concern for global warming, or just the realization that the Prius is a great vehicle, not just a hybrid vehicle?

It doesn't really matter. In 2008, gas prices are expected to be higher than 2007 and the concern over global warming is increasing. Therefore, Prius sales will probably only increase.

Part of Toyota's hybrid success must also be attributed to the incentives that Toyota has offered on the Prius. For example, a fully loaded Prius was discounted by $2,000.00 in 2007. The discount on a base Prius, however, is only a few hundred dollars.

In addition, Toyota is offering leases on the Prius for as low as $219 per month. Or, you can finance the sale of a new Prius with no interest for 2 years. However, when I tried to purchase a Prius recently, I was not offered these deals in the Los Angeles area.

In fact, buying a Prius in LA is a far better deal than buying a Prius.

Does the Prius save money?

According to a an Edmunds.com study, the Toyota Prius can recover its hybrid technology costs in just three years. Of course, this study was carried out when both gas prices were both high, and when Toyota qualified for the full clean vehicle tax credit. The last data I saw, suggests that number has been pushed back to over 4 years, however, with gas prices expected to hit $4.00 in 2008, cost recovery will probably decrease.

Moreover, there is the possibility that Prius tax credits could be extended at some point in time - a move that both the President and members of Congress from both parties have proposed.

Hybrid power

Prius, from the Latin "to go before" was Toyota's first hybrid vehicle to be sold in the U.S. and the car has increased sales consistently and regularly, forcing long wait times for buyers during most of the existence of the Prius. 

Fortunately, Toyota has been able to increase its Prius production capabilities, which has made the Prius more available than ever.

Overall, it used to take 8 days for a Prius to sell once it hit the lot, now that that time has been extended to about 30 days. Finally, consumers now have some real choices when shopping for a Prius.

Some dealers are also still adding dealer fees to the MSRP, although Toyota has asked dealers not to do this (Click for more information on how to approach buying a Prius).

So, don't be afraid to shop around when seeking to buy a Prius.

Toyota announced that it would produce 100,000 Prius hybrid cars for the U.S. auto market in 2005, more than twice the availability for 2004. In 2006 that number was about the same, due to production limitations.

For 2007 Toyota plans to build almost 200,000 Prius hybrid cars for the U.S. market.

"94 percent of Prius owners would buy another Prius"

The Prius, originally launched in 1997, but sales didn't pick up until 2004, when Toyota launched its second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive.

That year the Prius moved up to the midsize category, and increased its cargo volume by almost 30 percent over the previous year, while also improving it's fuel efficiency to 55 miles per gallon - according to the EPA.

Since that change, each new Prius model year has not changed significantly, although new features are regularly added, such as extra sidebags and 'sport' editions.

In the future the Prius might even come in different versions, such as a smaller city Prius.

The Prius, one of the most aerodynamic production cars ever produced,  runs on its new high-voltage "Hybrid Synergy Drive," which combines a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (producing 78 horsepower and 85 pound-feet of torque) with a new 67-hp electric motor.

This new motor provides quicker acceleration and can zip from zero to 60 miles per hour in 10.5 seconds.

Additionally, according to Toyota Press Releases, the hybrid Prius produces nearly 90 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than a conventional internal combustion engine.

In a few years, the third generation Prius will be built upon the third generation of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, a move that could almost double the fuel efficiency of the Prius, while significantly reducing hybrid costs.

Still, for a car priced in the mid-twenties, the Prius isn't too bad today!

For more information on the Toyota Prius hybrid, Click here.

--Read More about the Toyota Prius on the Hybridcarblog.

Toyota Prius Hybrid:

-- Prius Accessories
-- Prius Competitors
--
Prius Features
--
Prius Packages
--
Prius Specifications
-- Prius Test Drive

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>
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More About the Toyota Prius

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Third Generation Toyota Prius in 2008

Hybrid Cars Buying Guide: Which Hybrid vehicles is best for you?

Hybrid Car Tax Credit

2008 Chrysler hybrid vehicles

Hybrid cars versus bio-diesel, which is better?

Hybrids and EPA estimates: This is war

Lithium: Toyota's revolutionary third generation Prius hybrid car

Hymotion plug-in hybrid conversion kit announced

Hybrid car sales: Honda versus Toyota

Toyota Prius hybrid testimonials

Flex-fuel, bio-diesel or hybrid cars: Which to end American oil dependence?

GMs dual mode hybrids better than Toyota's hybrids?

Consumer Reports and Hybrids: What you need to know

Better than a hybrid car? A plug-in hybrid car

Celebrate foreign oil dependence day!

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Toyota Prius Testimonials

"We own a 2005 Toyota Prius purchased March 2005.  The mileage now is 13,300
miles we average 50 miles per gal both on the hwy and town driving. "

(more Prius Testimonials)

 
Toyota Prius Problems

The Toyota Prius is one of the most important vehicles ever made. Today it is synonymous with hybrid cars. Thus, it is important to note problems with the Prius, such as radio problems. If you've been having problems, Report Your Prius Problems.

Hybrid Car Buyer's Guide

> Not sure if the Toyota Prius hybrid is the best vehicle for you? Use our hybrid buyer's guide.

 (more)

Hybrid Tax Credit

2006 Tax Deduction for the Prius - The Toyota Prius no longer qualifies for an tax credits.

EPA Fuel Efficiency Estimates & Hybrids
Don't buy into the negative press about the Prius hybrid car (More)
Hybrid Car Buyer's Club

Interested in buying a Toyota Prius hybrid car, or another hybrid?

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