The new Toyota Prius will be coming to the UK market, but not Australia

Toyota has announced that the new generation Toyota Prius will be available for sale in British dealerships next year, although it initially decided not to sell it locally. The decision to reintroduce this pioneering hybrid vehicle is based on the growing demand for conventional and hybrid cars in the UK. As a result, the versatile technology offered by the new Prius has become more attractive to car buyers in the country.

On the other hand, the chances of the new Prius returning to Australian showrooms are slim. Toyota has already stopped selling the previous generation Prius in Australia due to low sales numbers. The new model was also excluded from a domestic return when it was introduced later. Although the Prius remains a leader in the mass-market hybrid segment, its sales in Australia peaked in 2008 and have been on a downward trajectory ever since.

However, despite the low likelihood of an official launch, the new Toyota Prius could find its way into the Australian market as a ‘gray market’ import from Japan. This could meet the demand for electric cars that are not officially available for sale in the country.

In short, while Toyota in the UK is embracing the new generation Prius due to the growing popularity of hybrids, Australian consumers are likely to miss out on this innovative model. However, interest in ‘grey market’ imports from Japan suggests there is still strong demand for green cars in Australia.

FAQs

1. Will the new Prius be available for sale in the UK?

Yes, the new generation Toyota Prius will be available for sale in the UK next year.

2. Why won’t the new Prius be sold in Australia?

The new Toyota Prius will not be sold in Australia due to low sales figures of the previous generation and lack of market demand.

3. Is it possible to import a new Prius as a “gray market” car?

Yes, the new Prius could be imported from Japan as a ‘gray market’ car to Australia, to meet demand for electric models.