(March 1, 2013) TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota's Prius-badged vehicles proved to be the most popular new vehicles with California drivers during the 2012 calendar year.

According to R.L Polk, the Prius family cars (Prius Liftback, Prius v, Prius Plug-in, and Prius c) accounted for 61,893 vehicles registered in California, making Prius the number one vehicle badge sold in the state. This continues the trend shown by the state's consumers who are adopting gasoline-electric hybrid technology and putting more of these vehicles on the road.

About 26 percent of all Prius sales in the United States were made in California based on total sales of 236,659.

“Consumers are drawn to the Prius vehicles because of the brand's focus on efficiency," said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. "All four distinct Prius models offer outstanding fuel economy."