Bloomberg. Toyota expects European sales of the Prius to jump 83% to 15,000 units next year.

The company has raised its 2004 European target to 8,200 units from an earlier forecast of 5,000—an increase of 64%. Toyota sold 4,872 Priuses in Europe by the end of August this year, or 98% of the year’s total.

“Because of all the environmentally friendly reasons, people in Europe are acknowledging the significance of hybrid vehicles,'” said Executive Vice President Akihiko Saito. “We will strengthen our line up of diesels in Europe, but hybrid will be another push.”