Toyota has officially put an end to the decade-long linguistic debate surrounding its pioneering hybrid vehicle, the Prius Toyota. After a comprehensive public voting campaign, the Japanese automaker announced that “Prii” has been selected as the definitive plural form of Prius. This decision, revealed at the Chicago Auto Show, marks a significant moment for the Toyota Prius, settling years of uncertainty and discussion among car enthusiasts and language aficionados alike.
The ‘Prius Goes Plural’ campaign, launched at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, was designed to engage the public in determining the correct plural nomenclature for the Toyota Prius. This initiative was timed with the unveiling of the expanded Toyota Prius family of vehicles, highlighting Toyota’s commitment to the Prius brand and its growing lineup. Over 1.8 million votes were cast during the six-week campaign, demonstrating the strong public interest in the Toyota Prius and its identity. “Prii” emerged as the clear winner, capturing 25 percent of the total votes and surpassing other contenders such as “Prius,” “Priuses,” “Prium,” and “Prien.” “Prius” itself came in a close second with 24 percent of the vote, indicating a near split in public opinion, but ultimately, “Prii” prevailed as the favored term.
To underscore the official status of “Prii,” Dictionary.com has updated its entry for “Prius” to include the newly recognized plural form. Jay Schwartz, head of content for Dictionary.com, was present at the Chicago Auto Show announcement to confirm this update, cementing “Prii”’s place in the lexicon. This update signifies the widespread acceptance and formal recognition of “Prii” as the plural of Toyota Prius in the English language.
According to Colin Morisako, advertising manager for Toyota, the public’s involvement was crucial to this decision. “Community has always been a big part of the Prius brand, so it was only fitting that we invite the online communities to participate in the plural discussion,” Morisako stated. He further added, “The people have spoken—Prii will be the accepted term used to describe multiple Prius vehicles going forward.” This collaborative approach highlights Toyota’s respect for its customer base and its willingness to engage with public opinion in shaping the brand’s identity.
The debate over the plural of Prius has been ongoing since the vehicle’s introduction a decade prior. With the expansion of the Prius family, including models like the Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV), Prius v, and Prius c concept, Toyota recognized the need for a definitive plural term. The voting campaign served not only to resolve this linguistic question but also to celebrate the growth of the Toyota Prius brand and its diverse offerings. These additions to the Prius lineup reinforce Toyota’s dedication to fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and environmentally conscious automotive technology.
The resolution of the “Prius” plural debate and the formal adoption of “Prii” marks a unique chapter in the history of the Toyota Prius. This decision, driven by public consensus, solidifies “Prii” as the accepted term for multiple Toyota Prius vehicles and celebrates the expanding Prius family’s contribution to sustainable transportation. For those interested in exploring the range of Toyota Prius models, further information is available at www.toyota.com/priusfamily.
