- The Toyota Prius was the first hybrid (gas + electricity) standard. The first generation was launched in 1997, the second in 2003 and third in 2009.

- The success of this model in Japan and in the world has started mainly with the third generation. Sales of the Prius in Japan increased from 73,000 units in 2008 to 209,000 in 2009 and 316,000 in 2010, 253,000 in 2011 (year of the tsunami) and of 318,000 units in 2012. The 2012 figures include the new version break / minivan called the Prius Plus (Prius Alpha in Japan).

- But the hybrid novelty of 2012 was the Prius C (Prius Compact) called Aqua in Japan. This model of 4 meters long (against the Prius 4.50 meters) was a huge success in Japan last year with 266,000 sales, while the model was starting up stage.

- This success has led to the doubling of the Japanese market for hybrids, 337 000 units in 2011 to 664,000 in 2012, a doubling of sales of the Prius models range from 253 000 units in 2011 to 584,000 in 2012. Toyota decided two years ago to develop a Prius range from the original model, which means that we can expect new variations in two or three years.

Data source: File #55 - Registrations in the World by makes