Leading the hybrid revolution: shaping the future of cars: When the Prius was born at the dawn of the 21st century, it combined the power of an engine and a motor in the world‘s first mass-produced hybrid car. Much more than delivering exceptional fuel efficiency, it shaped a revolution in various ways including advanced design and powerful driving performance, and received great acclaim around the world. The Prius anticipated and answered the needs of an environment-conscious world, shaping a new direction for what is possible, and setting the benchmark for cars of the future.