The Toyota Prius, the first mass-produced petrol-electric hybrid car, went on sale in Japan in 1997.
Toyota launched the first-generation NHW10 Prius on 10 December 1997 through all four Toyota Japan dealership networks. The compact four-door sedan used a gasoline engine alongside an electric motor and battery, allowing the powertrain to reduce fuel use without requiring external charging.
Toyota had previewed a hybrid concept at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show and conducted testing in 1996. The original Prius was initially sold only in Japan; international sales followed in 2000, which is why some quizzes incorrectly give 2000 as the launch year. The U.S. model year began in 2001, creating another common source of confusion.
Production of the first generation ended in 2000 after more than 37,000 examples. Later Prius generations turned the model into a global symbol of mainstream hybrid technology.