Milestone: Toyota Sells 1 Millionth Prius In US (TM)

Toyota Motors TM announced today that it has sold its one millionth Prius in the U.S., as the car is now officially a mainstream vehicle. This comes as gasoline prices are rising on the back of a strong economic recovery, and easy money, leading to speculation in the commodities markets. The Prius gets an estimated 51 miles per gallon in the city and 48 on the highway. The car is both an electric vehicle, and gasoline powered, hence the name hybrid. "Prius paved the way for hybrids," Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager in the U.S., said in a statement. "Prius has become synonymous with the word hybrid, and as we see fuel prices starting to rise again, it has accounted for more than 60 percent of hybrid passenger car sales so far this year," Carter said. At last check, shares of Toyota were down 32 cents to $77.31, a loss of 0.4%.