Toyota sees hybrid demand ramp after Katrina

Speaking at the Reuters Auto Summit, president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Jim Press said that by the end of August, Prius inventory was down to a 20 hour supply – basically, zero. Not only is Toyota selling the Prius as fast as it can make them, but Press said that the waiting list is growing for its hybrid SUVs, the Highlander (pictured) and Lexus RX400h. With high gas prices expected to be with us for a while in the wake of Hurricane Rita, Toyota should see hybrid demand stay at a high level for some time. Toyota hybrid sales volumes are expected to really take off when the Camry hybrid hits the market late next year.

By s.waterman@p1data.com
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Speaking at the Reuters Auto Summit, president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Jim Press said that by the end of
August, Prius inventory was down to a 20 hour supply – basically, zero. Not only is Toyota selling the Prius as fast as
it can make them, but Press said that the waiting list is growing for its hybrid SUVs, the Highlander (pictured) and
Lexus RX400h.

With high gas prices expected to be with us for a while in the wake of Hurricane Rita, Toyota should see hybrid demand
stay at a high level for some time.

Toyota hybrid sales volumes are expected to really take off when the Camry hybrid hits the market late next year.