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Toyota’s vaunted Prius line ^[4] is racing into third place in total cars sold worldwide, proving that, far from being a niche market, hybrid technology is as mainstream as it gets. The news comes soon after two new Prius models hit the market, making the gas-sipping lineup ^[5] a tough act to beat. So far, Toyota has produced 4 million hybrids with sales accelerating along with the surging price of gas.

Ten years ago, the Prius was the first hybrid to hit the market, and it was widely considered a curiosity for the granola crowd. But with the release of April’s sales numbers, the car is nipping at the Ford Focus’ heels for the #2 spot, with sales of 220,000 units projected for 2012 in the US.

The surge in interest is not only a symptom of rising fuel costs; it’s also a result of Toyota’s release of two new models to fill out the Prius lineup. The goldilocks approach — offering three sizes — figures to pay off for Toyota, with the new Prius C being the most fuel efficient ^[6] non-electric car available. The other addition is a roomer Prius V that we test drove ^[7] in February.

Toyota has long benefited from Prius’s ‘halo’ effect ^[8], which has helped to boost sales across its entire line, but now the car is selling almost as well as the Corolla, which comes in at #1 in sales. The news should open other automakers’ eyes to the commercial viability of fuel-efficient vehicles.

+ Toyota Prius ^[9]

Via Green Car Reports ^[10]