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Toyota Prius - World's First Production Hybrid Vehicle - Makes North-American Debut

11 December 1997

Toyota Prius - World's First Production Hybrid Vehicle - Makes North-American Debut

    ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 11 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS),
Inc., showed the Prius hybrid electric vehicle for the first time in North
America during a press conference held here today in conjunction with EVS-14,
the largest alternative-fuel vehicle show in the world.
    Prius incorporates all the safety, comfort, drivability, and performance
of a conventional compact sedan, while offering high mileage and extremely low
exhaust emissions.  Powered by the revolutionary Toyota Hybrid System (THS)
incorporating both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, the Prius went on
sale in Japan earlier this month and is the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle
in the world to be offered for public sale.
    "After observing consumer reaction and performing further evaluation in
Japan, we will develop a hybrid vehicle suited to the North American market,"
said Jane Beseda, TMS strategic planning corporate manager.  "We will start
small-volume pilot-marketing as early as possible, and before the end of this
century.
    "Toyota is committed to paving the road toward a clean future," continued
Beseda.  "The vehicles we are showing today prove this commitment and are
allowing us to continue to examine the benefits of these advanced
technologies."
    The highlight of the Prius is the THS, incorporating the technologies of a
clean-burning, high-efficiency internal combustion (IC) engine with a silent
and efficient electric vehicle (EV) power system.  By using a newly developed
advanced transmission and precision power and engine management controls,
Toyota has developed a vehicle that bridges both IC and EV systems, combining
the best of each.  In testing in Japan, Prius delivered fuel economy of 66 mpg
and emission reductions of 50 percent for carbon dioxide and 90 percent for
carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide.
    During the press conference, Toyota also announced its membership in the
National Station Car Association (NSCA).  The idea of a station car calls for
making electric vehicles available at bus or train stations.  Riders can then
use them to drive home, to work, shopping or other errands, reducing pollution
and reliance on fossil fuels.
    To support its association with the NSCA, TMS showed the experimental
e-com electric commuter EV.  Powered by 24 nickel-metal hydride batteries and
a permanent-magnet motor, the two-seat e-com has a range of more then 60 miles
on a single charge.  The e-com is still in the prototype phase, although much
of the technology it incorporates is shared with the larger RAV4-EV, already
on sale to selected fleet customers throughout the U.S.  The e-com is intended
for use in a station-car situation or in-town commuting.  It is easy to drive
and its size makes it easy to park in a crowded city.
    Digital images of the Prius and e-com are available through Toyota's
journalist website, the Pressroom, at http://pressroom.toyota.com or to Wieck
Photo Database subscribers through their Website.

SOURCE  Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.