New Prius goes on sale today in Japan, Toyota claims 80,000 pre-orders

Last week, we heard a report that Toyota had received 75,000 pre-orders for the new third-generation Prius. Today, the day that the new iconic hybrid goes on sale in its home country, Toyota says that the number is actually 80,000. Not bad for a new car in this time of economic questions. Having a popular hybrid at a time like this certainly is not a bad thing for an auto company. Of course, selling the car at a lower price than originally expected (thank you, Honda Insight) and $3,000 less than the previous generation model helps make it attractive to buyers. 80,000 pre-orders is just the beginning; Toyota hopes to sell 400,000 Priuses in 2010.

[Source: Reuters]