What Japanese car company introduced the Prius?

The Japanese car company that introduced the Prius is Toyota. Toyota launched the first-generation Prius in Japan in December 1997, making it the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle.

Toyota developed the Prius during the 1990s as part of an effort to create a practical, fuel-efficient car for the 21st century. The original model was a compact four-door sedan and used a hybrid system that combined a gasoline engine with an electric motor. Its battery could capture energy during braking and reuse it to reduce fuel consumption.

The first Prius was initially sold only in Japan. Toyota expanded sales to other markets, including North America and Europe, in 2000. The model became a symbol of mainstream hybrid technology, although Honda also produced an early rival, the Insight, beginning in 1999. The Prius name comes from a Latin word meaning “prior” or “before,” reflecting Toyota’s view of the car as a forerunner.