Toyota launches the fifth generation of the Prius
- Toyota Prius was the pioneer among cars with hybrid drive (gasoline-electric drive) from 1997. It has gone through four generations so far (1997, 2003, 2009, 2015) and was joined by the Prius C (more compact C-segment version) and the Prius Plus (station wagon version of the Prius) in 2011 and the Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid) in 2012. The Prius C and Prime have their own life cycle and different generations, which we will not talk about here. The Prius Plus, on the other hand, has only seen one generation and has not been replaced due to its moderate success.
- The original Toyota Prius (non-rechargeable hybrid) grew in popularity until 2012, peaking at 600,000 units per year, up from 200,000 in 2006, 300,000 in 2008, and 500,000 in 2010, at which time the complementary models (Prius C, Prius Plus, Prius Prime) were launched, gradually reducing sales of the original Prius. Most importantly, however, the gradual expansion of hybrid powertrains at Toyota (Yaris, Corolla, CHR, Camry, RAV4, etc.) has significantly diminished the influence of the Prius, not to mention competition from hybrid cars from other brands (especially Korean carmakers), competition from foreign plug-in hybrid cars, and, of course, competition from battery electric vehicles entering the global market.
- By 2022, Toyota Prius production has fallen to less than 100,000 units, down from 200,000 in 2018, 300,000 in 2017, and 400,000 in 2016. The new generation, to be unveiled in late 2022 and launched in early 2023, must try to revive the career of a model that marked its time but is now under severe pressure.
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