New Prius may not arrive for year due to earthquake delay

Toyota said today buyers 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 today of the more spacious “Prius a” or “Prius alpha”, 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.