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Toyota hybrid car owners all seem to have one thing in common-tangible bottom line benefits. Lower fuel consumption is a primary benefit of the new 2005 Prius, EPA rated 60/51 mpg city/highway. Another bottom line benefit is that buyers of a new Prius in 2004 and 2005 may be eligible for a $2,000 IRS tax deduction. Fuel economy, low emissions and great performance are chief reasons that many people choose to buy a Prius.

Celebrities Love Their Prius
For the third consecutive year, Toyota was the Presenting Sponsor of the Environmental Media Awards (EMA) ceremony in November 2004, and Toyota hybrid cars had star presence. The Prius and Highlander Hybrid were on display, and the guests and nominees who drove a Prius pulled up to the celebrity "green carpet" in a special "Prius-only" lane.
Toyota President Yukitoshi Funo congratulated EMA in the awards program stating, "By 'walking the walk' you are making a significant statement to a wide audience about the importance of caring for the environment." California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a message of congratulations to EMA. "I salute you for your dedicated efforts to promote environmental education, scholarship and action among those in the entertainment industry," he said. The EMA promotes pro-environment content in film and television.

Increase in Prius Shipments
Reflecting strong sales and consumer demand, Toyota has more than doubled the yearly Prius allocation for the U.S. to 100,000 in 2005, compared to 47,000 in 2004. In addition, Toyota has expanded monthly production for the world market to 15,000 in 2005, up from 10,000 in 2004.
This increase has afforded prospective Prius buyers shorter waiting times. Finally it looks like 2005 shipments to the U.S. will catch up with sales. Already in 2005, the average wait time has improved beyond what it was in 2004. Call various dealers in your area for the most current information on availability.

More than 120,000 Prius in the U.S.
To date, more than 120,000 Prius have been sold in the U.S. since its 2000 debut, with more than 50,000 sold in 2004. From 2000 to 2003, the U.S. Prius sales grew steadily as the first generation of "Prius Pioneers" introduced hybrid vehicles to a broader market. The 2004 model appearing in October 2003 saw another rise in sales with the introduction of Hybrid Synergy Drive®. Larger, restyled and more powerful, the 2004 Prius caught the attention of car buyers, competitors and the automotive press, as it won many major awards, including North American Car of the Year and European Car of the Year. In October 2004, total U.S. sales hit the 100,000 mark, establishing the Prius as the car that put hybrids on the map.

Toyota and 2005 EPA Fuel Economy Comparisons
The EPA's 2005 Fuel Economy Guide reveals that Toyota cars, trucks, SUVs, station wagons and minivans are ranked among the top ten in more EPA categories than most other car manufacturers. Ratings based on EPA-estimated mileage and actual mileage may vary. Toyota (along with Scion) vehicles have the number one fuel economy position in the midsize car, subcompact car and small station wagon categories for gas-powered vehicles and hold six of the top ten spots in both the subcompact car and small station wagon categories for gas vehicles.

Highlander News
Many car owners who have hesitated to purchase a hybrid car are excited about the new Hybrid SUVs coming on the market. They want the size, versatility and performance of an SUV, but obviously with better gas mileage and lower emissions. The Highlander Hybrid went on sale at Toyota dealerships nationally in June, 2005 as the newest Toyota hybrid car. Mileage ratings for the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have come in at 33/28 mpg city/highway, impressive for a mid-size SUV. This newest Toyota hybrid car shares many of the components of the Lexus RX 400h, but not the deluxe features. It is also lighter in weight than the Lexus, and therefore is being considered the high performance vehicle of all the hybrid power-split designs.

Starting at $33,595, research shows that Highlander Hybrid with its Hybrid Synergy Drive® will shift the SUV standard by offering V8-like power from a V-6 engine and electric motor, plus the rating of a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle.

Lexus News
The world’s first luxury hybrid, the all-new Lexus RX 400h SUV hit the showrooms on April 15, 2005. Toyota pre-sold at least 9,000 of the newest of Toyota hybrid cars, which amounted to more pre-launch orders than any vehicle in Toyota's 15-year history. The 2006 Lexus RX 400h will be the premium model in the RX series, with its increased performance, smooth operation, improved fuel efficiency as well as high-technology, safety, luxury, and comfort amenities and features. The EPA rating of 31/27 mpg city/highway with a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle rating will satisfy the environmentally conscious. This newest Toyota hybrid cars starts around $49,000, but by the time you drive off the lot, especially if the law of supply and demand kicks in, the RX400h could go as high as $60,000.

Latest Sales Figures
With amazing initial sales of the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, June posted the second-highest levels of hybrid sales yet, with 19,223 units sold only slightly behind April 2005 with 20,974 units sold. For the first six months of 2005, hybrid car sales rose to 92,558, 2.5 times more than the 36,276 sold during the first six months of 2004. Toyota hybrid car sales led the pack of June sales, with the Prius selling 9,622 units, the Highlander hybrid selling 2,869 and the Lexus RX 400h selling 2,605. Toyota hybrid cars accounted for 79% of all hybrid cars sold in June.