Two months since Toyota Mirai pre-orders opened in the US, the Japanese automaker said it has already exceeded initial expectations.
"Nearly 1,900 people have raised their hands for a Toyota Mirai, exceeding the expected initial production run of the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle," Toyota said in a statement.
Reportedly, the FCV's order request portal is still accepting requests but is now redirecting customers to a waiting list, "as production catches up to this high demand."
Nearly 1,000 2016 Mirais are allotted for the US market and Toyota said it's already reviewing order request already made. The first units will reportedly be delivered this month.
Back in July, Franchise Herald reported that prospective buyers will have to pass an interview first before taking home the Toyota Mirai FCV.
Unlike battery electric vehicles, the Toyota Mirai's 152 HP electric motor is powered by hydrogen combined from tanks with oxygen. EPA estimates put it at 67 MPGe resulting in a range of 312 miles on a single tank, according to CarScoops.
Those who pre-ordered the Mirai FCV have yet to get in the driver's seat but already, chief engineer Yoshikazu Tanaka is envisioning its future.
AutoCar reported that Tanaka wants the FCV to "procreate" and produce "a family of fuel cell vehicles."
"Tanaka would not be drawn on which configurations would lend themselves to fuel cell power, but a well-informed source confirmed that estate, hatchback, MPV and SUV variants could all be under consideration," the website said.
Reportedly, he sees these new body styles coming out in the next 10 to 20 years. As DigitalTrends noted, this would be similar to the progression followed by the Prius plug-in hybrid.
Tanaka did admit that getting hydrogen from clean sources will have to be figured out first. Currently, the Toyota Mirai and other FCVs refuel in facilities that still depend on fossil fuel for the extraction process.
