PRIUS: How did the Toyota Prius hybrid automobile get its name?  What
was the process by which it got its name?  Was this a Marketing
decision and were focus groups involved?  Is "Prius" a word in any
language and if so, which languages and what is/are its meaning(s)? 
Any background information would be appreciated.

I don't know how Toyota came up with the name, but I always think of
Priapus, a mythological Greek god of fertility, when I see the Toyota
name Prius.

Priapism is a painful medical condition, named after Priapus.

http://www.medindia.net/Patients/PatientInfo/priapism.asp

Hi annieerker

This may be helpful:

"Prius is a Latin word meaning ?to go before.? Toyota chose this name
because the Prius vehicle is the predecessor of cars to come. Rapid
population growth and economic development in recent decades have
resulted in a sharp increase in fossil fuel consumption on a global
scale. Faced with the challenges to create an earth-friendly vehicle,
Toyota has produced the world?s first mass produced hybrid
automobile..."

The Prius Hybrid Automobile 
http://sections.asme.org/nwhss/previous-2004.html


"The word ?prius? is Latin for ?prior to?, indicating that the Prius
is a vehicle at the forefront of its age.The first-generation Prius, a
car with a groundbreaking level of environmental performance based on
a hybrid system, was released in 1997 under the catchphrase: ?In time
for the 21st century?. It thus appeared prior to the so-named ?century
of the environment? and also before any other marketed hybrid
vehicle..."

Fujio Cho, president of Toyota Motor Corporation
NEW PRIUS PRESENTATION
http://www.toyota.co.jp/company/prius/en/prius.pdf


"...Other names have more purpose behind them. Toyota named its hybrid
Prius, which Toyota wanted the world to see as a technological marvel,
because the word is Latin for "to go before."

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2004/07/12/cz_jf_0712featB.html?partner=yahoo


Best regards,
Rainbow