> The Prius doesn’t count…that was Toyota’s answer to CA’s requirements

That sounded a bit US-centric - so I did a quick Google and found that belief is incorrect:

  Sales in Japan were extremely strong from the outset, buoyed by Prius winning Japan’s Car of the Year award for 1998. By May 2000 more than 40,000 units had been sold and production capacity was increased to 3,000 a month in anticipation of its arrival in refreshed form (XW11 chassis) in export markets.

  Initial testing in the U.S., in 1999, before release to the general public nearly sidelined the Prius before its debut. The few drivers involved in the testing were less than impressed. That, combined with no way to determine a viable buyer market for the Prius, almost halted the car’s journey outside of Japan.

  [USA 2000]Nevertheless, the Prius caught on. Toyota was pleasantly surprised that sales the first year exceeded projections and when some Hollywood stars took notice (and purchased the vehicles), things only go better.

Edit: Wow - buoyed US pronunciation: https://youtu.be/sx419urqnkE?t=460 - found using https://youglish.com/ cf. buoyancy