For over a decade, the automotive world and Prius enthusiasts have debated a simple yet surprisingly contentious question: what is the plural of Prius? The iconic hybrid vehicle, known for its fuel efficiency and environmental consciousness, sparked not only a revolution in driving but also a linguistic puzzle. Finally, Toyota has put an end to the discussion, officially declaring the plural of Prius to be “Prii”.
The resolution came not from a boardroom decision, but from the voice of the people. Toyota launched a public voting campaign to determine the definitive plural form, engaging Prius owners and fans across the nation. This campaign, aptly named “The Prius Goes Plural,” was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, coinciding with the debut of the expanding Toyota Prius family of vehicles. The public response was overwhelming, with over 1.8 million votes cast in just six weeks.
Alt text: A lineup of several Toyota Prius cars in various colors, showcasing the popular hybrid vehicle.
The results were announced at the Chicago Auto Show, with “Prii” emerging as the clear winner, capturing 25 percent of the total votes. Close behind was “Prius” itself, with 24 percent, while “Priuses,” “Prium,” and “Prien” trailed further. Toyota embraced the public’s choice, officially recognizing “Prii” as the accepted plural term. This decision wasn’t just a matter of preference; it carried enough weight to prompt Dictionary.com to update its entry for “Prius” to include “Prii” as the plural form.
Jay Schwartz, head of content for Dictionary.com, was present at the Chicago Auto Show announcement, underscoring the significance of this crowd-sourced linguistic decision. The campaign highlights Toyota’s commitment to community engagement and recognizing the voice of its customers. According to Colin Morisako, advertising manager for Toyota, “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.” He further added, “The people have spoken—Prii will be the accepted term used to describe multiple Prius vehicles going forward.”
Alt text: Image from Toyota’s Prius plural voting campaign, showcasing the different plural options: Prii, Prius, Priuses, Prium, and Prien.
The need for a plural form became even more pressing with the expansion of the Prius family. Beyond the original Prius model, Toyota introduced the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle (PHV), Prius v, and Prius c concept, aiming to broaden the appeal and accessibility of the Prius brand. These additions reinforce Toyota’s dedication to offering a range of vehicles that uphold the core Prius values: exceptional fuel economy, reduced emissions, reliable gas-electric hybrid technology, and a commitment to environmental responsibility.
The resolution of the “Prius plural” debate with “Prii” marks not just a linguistic conclusion, but also celebrates the community surrounding this innovative vehicle. It signifies Toyota’s willingness to listen to its audience and integrate customer feedback into even the most unexpected aspects of its brand identity. So, the next time you see more than one Prius on the road, you’ll know exactly what to call them: Prii.
