Personalities will drive Toyota Prius

Personalities will drive Toyota Prius

A second Toyota Prius petrol-electric hybrid car has been entered in the EnergyWise Rally 2002, to be driven by a series of personalities who have generously donated their time to publicise the event.

Designated the ‘personality car’, the Prius will be driven on the Palmerston North to Wellington leg of the event by the Hon. Harry Duynhoven, Associate Minister of Energy and Transport.

“We are delighted that the Toyota Prius can play such a relevant role in this event,” said Spencer Morris, Toyota New Zealand’s Manager, New Vehicle Operations. “Not only was the Prius the world’s first petrol-electric hybrid to go on commercial sale, but to date it has sold in excess of 100,000 units worldwide. In Japan and the USA, Prius, despite its pioneering technology, has already entered the mainstream market in terms of sales volume.”

Local bodies are also keen to demonstrate their commitment to conserving energy by being associated with the rally. Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast will drive the Prius out of Wellington, and Manukau City Councillor John Kerr will be behind the wheel for the final leg from Hamilton to Auckland. Other local and national personalities are also expected to drive the car at various stages of the event.

Although well-known for other reasons, none of the personalities will have had the chance to hone their economy driving skills in the Prius, so it will be interesting to see how little fuel they use in comparison to the other Prius in the event, driven by prominent South Island motoring writer Brian Cowan.

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