http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorThu, 20 Nov 2008 4:32:43 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/39572/toyota-weighs-spinning-off-prius-brand.html?refid=rss_all_defaultToyota may create a separate brand for the Prius, filling it out with new larger and smaller versions of the popular hybrid, the New York Times reports. Advocating for the creation of the brand is James Lentz, president of Toyota’s US sales, who argues that Prius is already a brand in the minds of consumers. The car dominates the hybrid market, accounting for 75% of US sales.http://www.newser.com/story/39572/toyota-weighs-spinning-off-prius-brand.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 09 Oct 2008 15:44:14 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32144/toyota-will-make-prius-in-us.html?refid=rss_all_defaultToyota plans to start producing its super-popular Prius hybrid in the US, Wired reports. With inventories overwhelmed by demand, the firm will move production lines to a Mississippi plant intended to produce SUVs. The factory won’t make its first Prius until 2010, but with no sign of abating gas prices, Toyota is betting hybrid demand will be even higher then.http://www.newser.com/story/32144/toyota-will-make-prius-in-us.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 10 Jul 2008 16:28:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/31771/toyota-to-add-solar-panels-to-prius.html?refid=rss_all_defaultToyota plans to go even more “green” with its hybrid Prius, offering solar panels as a high-end option beginning with the 2009 model year, reports Reuters. And, although the panels will do little more than help power the air conditioning system, Toyota’s move shows just how far automakers are willing to go to engineer greener vehicles.http://www.newser.com/story/31771/toyota-to-add-solar-panels-to-prius.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 07 Jul 2008 10:18:18 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/31420/prius-shortage-hurts-toyota.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPopularity is proving quite the pickle for Toyota: Dwindling supplies of hot sellers like its hybrid Prius fueled the 11.5% drop in US sales last month, Reuters reports. With a waiting list 6 months long, Prius sales fell 26%—even as rival Honda bumped its sales 13.8% thanks to record demand for its fuel-efficient Fit and Civic vehicles.http://www.newser.com/story/31420/prius-shortage-hurts-toyota.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 07 Jul 2008 10:18:18 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/30244/why-everyone-in-berkeley-owns-a-prius.html?refid=rss_all_defaultNowhere in California is the power of green consumerism more apparent than the Prius-packed city of Berkley. The Economist takes a look at a "greenery by zip code" study that, somewhat unsurprisingly, places Palo Alto near the top and Bakersfield near the bottom of locales packed with certified green buildings and hybrids. But why?http://www.newser.com/story/30244/why-everyone-in-berkeley-owns-a-prius.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 07 Jul 2008 10:18:18 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/28568/used-hybrid-market-soars.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe rising price of gasoline has heated up the used hybrid market, leading Newsweek writer Keith Naughton to wonder about the staying-power of the pricey battery the part-electric cars run on. Initial fears that Prius batteries would die well before the expected life of the car have proven unfounded, and the cost has come down dramatically, but when they do go, replacements are still in the $3,000 to $4,000 range.http://www.newser.com/story/28568/used-hybrid-market-soars.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 07 Jul 2008 10:18:18 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/28450/hybrid-owners-put-the-pedal-to-fuel-efficiency.html?refid=rss_all_defaultLeaving the bad old days of drag-racing in the dust, greenies are now engaging in their own race for fuel efficiency, reports the Washington Post. With hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius giving up-to-the-second feedback on just how much gas passing that little old lady in the right lane is guzzling, many drivers are adjusting their habits to max out their MPGs.http://www.newser.com/story/28450/hybrid-owners-put-the-pedal-to-fuel-efficiency.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 07 Jul 2008 10:18:18 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/28135/honda-looks-to-muscle-in-on-prius-market.html?refid=rss_all_defaultHonda is rolling out three new hybrids, looking to muscle in on rival Toyota in a world ever more receptive of fuel-efficient vehicles. The current Civic hybrid will be joined by a five-door compact, another compact already sold in Europe as the Jazz, and a new hybrid sports car, Forbes reports. The five-door models are to be sold beginning early 2009.http://www.newser.com/story/28135/honda-looks-to-muscle-in-on-prius-market.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 07 Jul 2008 10:18:18 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/27606/prius-1m-and-counting.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe Toyota Prius is a now 1 million units strong, and the landmark gas-electric hybrid, introduced in 1997, is poised to keep growing, the AP reports. Toyota said today it expects to be selling a million a year by sometime after 2010; what’s more, the company claims 4.5 million tons of harmful gases have been taken out of the air since its debut.http://www.newser.com/story/27606/prius-1m-and-counting.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 07 Jul 2008 10:18:18 CDT