Toyota Prius on Record Sales Pace in Japan

Just the Facts: The Toyota Prius is expected to top the single-year sales mark in Japan, set by the Toyota Corolla.Corolla set the current record of 300,008 in 1990.Prius has already has passed the 300,000-unit mark.

TOKYO — The Toyota Prius is on track to set a new single-year sales record in Japan, where the hybrid car already has passed the 300,000-unit mark. The current mark of 300,008 was set by the Toyota Corolla 20 years ago, in 1990.

Through November, the Prius had sold 297,563 units in Japan, according to the Nikkei business daily, and it has been Japan's best-selling model each month for the past year and a half.

In the U.S., Prius sold just over 125,000 units in the first 11 months, down slightly from a year ago. Worldwide, Toyota's well-publicized hybrid, now in its third generation, has sold nearly half a million units so far in 2010.

There is some concern in Japan, however, that the recent expiration of government incentives will send Prius sales lower in the coming year.

Inside Line says: The Wall Street Journal refers to the Prius as the "prince of eco-cars." Its ample global sales would seem to support that title. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent

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