In the largest fleet transaction yet for its environmentally friendly Prius hybrid-electric car, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., will deliver nearly 300 units to the city and state of New York. The agreement to purchase the vehicles was announced by Jim Press, TMS executive vice president and chief operating officer, during a breakfast address to the International Motor Press Association (IMPA) at the New York Auto Show. The city of New York will buy 231 Prius hybrids for use by a variety of municipal agencies including the Department of Buildings, Parks and Recreation, the Department of Health, and the Department of Transportation. New York State's MTA NYC Transit has agreed to buy 56 vehicles and will use them for a number of programs, including bus road control, route planning, and management and support operations. In addition, the state of New Jersey will purchase 33 vehicles for use by the State Central Motor Pool and the Port Authority. Prius combines an efficient, powerful gasoline engine and a clean, quiet electric motor. It automatically switches between the gasoline engine and electric motor, depending on driving needs and is ideal for city use. Configured as a roomy five-passenger sedan, Prius has an EPA fuel economy rating of 52 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. It also is certified as a super ultra-low-emission vehicle. Prius went on sale in the U.S. last summer. Since then, more than 9,000 units have been sold or leased to retail and fleet customers. Toyota expects to sell approximately 12,000 a year.
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