Meet The New Prius Owners - Or Maybe, You Don't Want To

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Prius ownership in the Ukraine will jump by more than 400 percent. Not because Ukrainians are suddenly connecting with their greener self. The Ukraine police forces have ordered 1,220 of the Prius, says The Nikkei [sub].

Currently, there are only about 300 hybrids on Ukraine’s roads. This will change drastically, and Sumitomo, which has exclusive rights to import and sell Toyota and Lexus automobiles in the Ukraine, hopes that the big order will raise the reputation of Prius hybrids.

The total amount of the order is about 34 million dollars, says The Nikkei.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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 6 comments
  • Polar Bear Polar Bear on Aug 31, 2012

    More car makers should use this marketing opportunity. There you sit in the back seat in handcuffs, beaten up and on the way to jail, when you suddenly think "What a great car".

  • Safe as milk Safe as milk on Aug 31, 2012

    actually, it's a good idea. the macho police cars here just encourage our police to drive like jerks. prii work very well in urban environments with decent pavement. they don't pollute and get good gas mileage. nyc has several gen 1 prii still in service in the gov't non-police fleet. the traffic cops often drive gen gen 2 prii. hybrid ford escapes and nissan altimas are also in police duty here.

    • See 1 previous
    • Redav Redav on Aug 31, 2012

      I also think the Prius V and similar hybrids are excellent for cabs.

  • Gentle Ted Gentle Ted on Aug 31, 2012

    The Cabs in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia are almost 100 percent Toyota Prius vehicles there they seem to work out just fine,despite what some Auto Books authors say about them ie Lemon Aid books, if they where in a Snow Belt, they might not be that suitable!

  • Acuraandy Acuraandy on Aug 31, 2012

    Satan drives a Prius. A BLACK one. Just sayin'...

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