New Prius may not arrive for a year

Toyota said its new bigger Prius models were delayed because of a battery shortage and production delays in Japan

Published: 7:56am, 13th May 2011
Updated: 6:21pm, 13th May 2011

Toyota has told buyers they may have to wait until next April for deliveries of its new bigger Prius models because of a battery shortage and production delays from the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

The launch of the more spacious Prius a or Prius alpha model, a revamp of its popular petrol-electric hybrid, was initially set for late April.

But the March 11 magnitude-9.0 earthquake in north-eastern Japan, which destroyed key car parts suppliers, has forced the sales date to be delayed.

The model comes in two versions - one seating five, set to go on sale in North America later this year - and one with three rows seating seven people, to be offered in Europe next year.