Toyota’s United States supply of Prius hybrid models is almost running on empty, but the Japanese automaker announced on Thursday that supplies of the popular hybrid could return to 70 percent of normal levels by next month.
The Japanese-built Prius has been in tight supply since Japan’s March 11 earthquake, but the world’s best-selling hybrid should be better stocked in the coming months. Bob Carter, the company’s group vice president for U.S. sales, expects Prius supplies “in the 60 percent to 70 percent range” over the next three months.
Before Japan’s earthquake, Toyota was projecting record U.S. sales for the Prius. Despite lower supply levels, demand for the Prius has been booming, thanks in large part to near $4 gas.
“If I had twice as many Priuses, we’d be selling twice as many,” Carter added.
References
1.’Toyota Says U.S….’ view
