Final answer:
The Toyota Prius was first introduced in Japan in 1997 as the first mass-produced hybrid car, and became available in the United States in 2000, marking the beginning of a new era in fuel-efficient vehicles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first year of the Toyota Prius was in 1997 when it was launched in Japan as the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The introduction of the Prius was part of a larger trend of technological innovations that emerged around the turn of the millennium, which included advancements like GPS tracking devices, the ability to text on mobile phones, and the launch of Wikipedia. With its great fuel efficiency and low emissions, the Prius helped to set a new standard in automotive technology and environmental consciousness. It is worth noting that while the Prius was shown to the public globally in the late 1990s, it became available to consumers in the United States in 2000, offering significantly improved fuel efficiency compared to traditional gasoline-only vehicles.