Toyota Prius's first month bookings at record 180,000 vehicles

20 June 2009

Toyota's gas-electric hybrid, Prius, and the first hybrid vehicle, surpassed the company's expectations to achieve a record booking of 180,000 vehicles within a month of  its launch on 18 May in the Japanese market.

The record sales exceeded the company's target of 10,000 units per month. The sale includes the 80,000 units booked during the prelaunch of the new Prius 2010.

Toyota's  Prius overtook its rival, Honda's Insight, in May to make it to the top position as the No1 selling vehicle, (See: Toyota Prius May domestic sales overtakes Honda's Insight as No 1 car in Japan)

Hybrid vehicles have been taking the top spot in auto sales mainly on the government incentives given to the auto industry in the wake of the plummeting car sales on account of the global financial crisis, a strengthening yen and the US credit crunch.

Last month, the government approved a cash-back rebate for trading in cars above 13 years for greener cars, giving consumers an added incentive to buy green cars.

Thanks to the incentive, hybrids are now tax-free in Japan and a Prius buyer saves about $1,500 which has added to the demand for the vehicle.