Prius is top-selling new car in California — and only here

This snuck up on us quietly. In the rest of the United States, the best selling new vehicle is the Ford F-series pickup truck. In California the last two years, it has been the Honda Civic. But in 2012, more Californians bought a Toyota Prius than any other new car, truck or van. Nationally, the Prius is not in the top ten of sales for 2012. We're just that different.

According to the California New Car Dealers Association, Prius models were registered 60,688 times last year. The Civic was next with 57,124, followed by the Toyota Camry with 50,250 and the Honda Accord with 49,420. The Toyota Corolla is next with 38,037, then you get to the most popular SUV or truck in California: the Honda CR-V at 29,055.

These are sales to ordinary consumers — not including fleet sales, government agencies or rental car companies.