How the World Works

Record gas prices equal record Prius sales

Another dismal month for U.S. auto sales -- but not for the king of the hybrids

March was yet another grim month for auto sales in the U.S., in what is shaping up to be, reports the Wall Street Journal, "the industry's toughest year in at least a decade." GM reported a 19 percent decline, year-over year; Ford 14 percent; and Toyota, 10 percent.

But there is a silver lining, for anyone who cares about fuel efficiency in an era of unprecendented high gas prices. The Toyota Prius vs. Ford Explorer smackdown continues!

March marked the best month ever for Prius sales -- 20,635 sold. But Americans bought only 10,969 Ford Explorers.

Amazingly, Toyota reported that 20,634 of the 20,635 Priuses sold in March were bought by residents of Berkeley, Calif.

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