>WORLDWIDE sales of the Toyota Prius petrol-electric hybrid have passed the one-million mark, with approximately 1,028,000 units sold as of the end of last month. Based on the sales figures, Toyota believes that the car has contributed to a reduction in CO2 emissions by approximately 4.5 million tonnes. The Prius was launched in Japan in 1997 and began selling in Europe, North America and other markets in 2000. In 2005, Toyota began its first overseas production of the car in Changchun, China.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on May 31, 2008.
