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Toyota presents

Toyota Prius Demo Families
The Toyota Prius: The World’s First Production Hybrid Gasoline/Electric Vehicle

November 11, 1999

Four families who participated in the Toyota Prius Demo Program discuss in an online interview, The Toyota Prius: The World’s First Production Hybrid Gasoline/Electric Vehicle

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Toyota: The Toyota Prius is the world’s first production hybrid gasoline/electric vehicle. Since June, Toyota has conducted the Prius Demo Program in 4 major cities across the U.S.: Irvine, CA; Seattle, WA; Sacramento, CA; and Chicago, IL. Tonight, Toyota and Talk City are pleased to welcome you to chat with 3 families who participated in this program and had the opportunity to drive a prototype version of the Prius for approximately one month. They are the DeWald family, the Judy family and the Bedford family. To ask one of the families a question, please use the input bar which is placed above your chat window. And now without further ado, Welcome Prius Demo Families!

DeWald: Hello! The Prius experience was a big highlight for us this year, to drive it and experience it. We enjoyed it fully!

Bedford: I turned in the keys last night, and I'm still recovering from a very enjoyable experience.

Judy: We didn't want to give the keys back!

DeWald: I could say the same!

Fintan: Did you have a Toyota before, and how does this compare to it?

Bedford: I have to admit that this was the seventh Toyota car that we've had. We've had a Corolla, a Celica, and now we have a Supra. We're from Chicago.

Judy: My parents have had Toyotas for a number of years, including Camry's. They've had both the station wagon and the sedan.

Belvedere: What is the best feature of the car?

Judy: I would have to say that its best feature is its get up and go! The car performs as well as at least a high performance four-cylinder.

Bedford: It's hard to limit it to just the best feature. I was impressed with the roominess, the mileage, and the environmental-friendly features. I had a friend ride in it that's over six feet tall, and he had plenty of headroom. I would have to say that the best feature was that it was so easy to handle, and it was a very smooth ride. And I liked the quiet. There were so many great features, you have to pick and choose about what you want to talk about.

DeWald: When you come to a stop sign and the engine turns off, it is so wonderful to be in this very quiet car with no vibration. It actually gives you a chance to relax and relieve some of the stress that comes with driving in traffic. It's an unexpected bonus!

Bedford: I would agree! I looked forward to stopping at the stop signs.

Nelanj: Would someone over 6' tall feel comfortable in the Prius?

Bedford: Absolutely! Front seat and back! A lot of people who were 6' tall were real comfortable. We had someone that was 6'5"; he had headroom, but his legs didn't fit real well. However, he was really surprised that he could fit in there at all. Someone who is exactly 6' tall would be real comfortable. My husband is 6', and it was great; he had no problems at all.

Taurus205: As far as interior room, how does this car compare to the Corolla?

DeWald: We don't have a Toyota right now. I was told that it compares very well, and that it is a little bit larger than a Corolla. It's large, and the interior is very roomy.

Robynne: Since gasoline is so cheap here in the U.S., why should we consider buying a Prius?

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