TOYOTA, Aichi Pref. — In January 1994, engineers at Toyota Motor Corp. gathered at the head office in Aichi Prefecture to brainstorm the car of the future.
The group of 10, chosen from among various departments, held heated discussions and concluded the new car must address the problems of global warming and energy conservation.
Out of these discussions came the Prius, the world's first commercially mass-produced hybrid car, which marks the 10th anniversary of its debut in December.