Hybrid, Old Technology?

[RunningInPleasePass]

I thought hybrid cars were the latest technology, seems it's been about for age.

http://www.hybridcars.com/history-of-hybrid-vehicles/

[PeteB]

Even some Toyota dealers at one time didn't realise Toyota had been selling Prius since 1997 (2000 in UK)!

Until the Gen 2 was launched at the very end of 2003, only 60 UK dealers were allowed to sell or service the Mk 1 Prius.

About 2 years later a fellow Mk1 owner (we called them the "Classic" Prius by then) recounted on the Yahoo Prius group his trials in buying Wiper Blades from a dealer that had not been amongst the 60. The man behind the parts counter was adamant there was no such thing as a 2000 model Prius, as it had only been launched in December 2003 - when the owner asked for the Parts Manager, the man serving him admitted he WAS the Parts Manager.

The matter was resolved when the Classic Prius owner almost dragged the Parts Manager outside and showed his "X" registration plate and the "Prius" Badge on the boot!

Indeed, my first Prius was an "X", and my second an "02".