TOYOTA PRIUS MAKES DEBUT IN MALAYSIA

PETALING JAYA (Malaysia), Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Toyota Prius, the world's
popular and advanced hybrid car, made its debut here Monday, to mark a new era
for the Malaysian car industry.

President of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, Kuah Kock Heng, said the Prius has
proven that hybrid technology was viable, durable and one of the best ways to
preserve the environment while at the same time maximising natural resources.

"As a result, hybrid technology is now a mainstrean option, being adopted
by carmakers," he said at a media preview here Monday.

The all-new third generation Prius, first launched in the US and recently in
Japan and Australia, has received tremendous response.

In Japan, in spite of the soft ecomomic conditions, it has become the top
seller with more than 31,000 units sold and more than 180,000 units booked.

The Prius is priced at RM175,000 (US$1=RM3.5) in Peninsular Malaysia,
inclusive of
insurance for private registration.

-- BERNAMA