Toyota Prius

Toyota's Prius was the first hybrid car on the market and remains the most popular. It went on sale in Japan in 1997 and was introduced internationally in 2001. By 2008 it was considered the most fuel-efficient car available in the United States.c

Prius Timeline

1993: The Partnership for the Next Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) is founded by the Clinton administration in the United States to develop family-sized vehicles with 80 mpg efficiency. Since Toyota was denied the opportunity, being a Japanese company, they decided to begin a project of their own.

1995: Toyota unveils their new concept car, the Prius.

1997: Prius debuts in Japan for purchase.

1999: Toyota announces the next version of the Prius is coming to America in 2000.

2000: Delivery of the "Classic" Prius model begins and a backorder delay results with an overwhelming amount of consumer interest and demand.
2002: Toyota reports their first profits from Prius sales.

2003: Toyota announces a Hybrid Synergy Drive upgrade and fundamental body change.

2004: The Prius wins the following awards this year: Motor Trend Car of the Year, North American Car of the Year and Design of the Year, Best Engineered Vehicle, International Engine of the Year, Best New Engine, Best Fuel Economy Engine and more.c

2005-2009: The second generation Prius debuts.

2009: The third generation Prius debuts.

2010: Prius reaches global sales of two million vehicles.c c

Prius Recall

On February 1, 2010, Toyota announced that they were issuing a recall of 2004-2009 Prius models due to a potential issue with floor mats in the drivers' side of the car causing the gas pedal stick in a wide-opened position.c This was part of company-wide recall of more than 2.3 million cars on January 21, 2010 for this very issue. A few days later, stories began to mount of additional problems with the brake pedals on the Prius model cars.c

Toyota determined that a software glitch caused a one-second lag in the anti-lock braking system.c Part of the issue here is that, unlike non-hybrid cars, the electric motor helps to slow the car down when the brakes are pressed.

Technology

The Prius utilizes a combined hybrid system dubbed the "Hybrid Synergy Drive" or "HSD." "HSD" was developed as an offshoot of Toyota's original "Toyota Hybrid System" used in the Prius until 2003. It combines an electric drive with a continuously variable transmission to achieve a high level of fuel economy. Additionally, the Prius has replaced the traditional mechanical and hydraulic control system with a Drive-By-Wire system.