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Toyota to Up Prius Production by 50-Percent to Meet Demand

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Toyota Attains Best Average Fuel Economy of Any Full-Line Manufacturer

Good news for the green camp, hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), and especially Toyotas new Prius, are experiencing record sales. The general acceptance of the new technology, spearheaded by Toyota with its first generation Prius and Honda with its Insight and Civic Hybrid, is fostering a number of new and upcoming models from various automakers.

Next on the scene will be Fords Escape Hybrid, which uses Toyota technology, to be followed closely by the Lexus RX 400h, the first luxury hybrid. Shortly thereafter Honda will bolster its HEV ranks with the Accord Hybrid, which will be followed by Toyotas

Hybrid-electric vehicles, especially Toyotas new Prius, are experiencing record sales. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Will market demand be able to keep up with the many new HEVs becoming available? If Toyotas Prius is any indication then there wont be too much of a problem selling everything that hits the market. According to Automotive News, Toyota announced

Other automakers are hoping for the same success with their hybrids as Toyota is having with the Prius. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

Much of the global allocation will be going to North America as 2005 model-year cars, as demand has been extremely strong.

"When the all-new second-generation Prius was launched in mid-October of last year, we had an annual sales plan of about 36,000 units," commented Don Esmond, Toyota Division senior vice president and general manager. "Two

In an attempt to try and keep up with demand, Toyota is increasing production of the Prius by 5,000 units per month. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Toyota will be adding the additional 5,000 units per month to an unspecified assembly line at an existing Japanese production facility. The new Prius design allows it to be built on the same assembly lines as conventional cars, making

Not only a leader in the hybrid market, Toyota is also the global fuel economy leader according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Trends Report. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

While Prius is the world sales leader among Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV), the company that produces it is also the global fuel economy leader, or at least thats what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Trends Report says. According to the EPA, 2004 model year Toyota vehicles attain the best average car fuel economy, the best average truck fuel economy and the best overall average fuel economy of any full-line manufacturer.