Hybrids in demand: Toyota receives 75,000 orders for the 2010 Prius

Everybody’s favorite hybrid, the Toyota Prius goes on sale later this month, but the Japanese automaker is already facing strong demand for their compact gas/electric vehicle. Toyota has already received 75,000 orders for the 2010 Prius, making it the clear favorite over Honda’s more affordably priced Insight that received only 20,000 orders.

The 2010 Prius is powered by an all-new 1.8 Liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine that delivers 98 hp and a peak torque of 105 lbs-ft. The new Prius features more aggressive styling and a trick remote air conditioning/solar panel sunroof combination and starts at around $21,000.

By the way, those 75,000 orders, are only for the Japanese Market.