The 2012 Toyota Aqua, as the Prius is known in the Country of the Rising Sun, has barely been on sale for a month and already the demand is vastly exceeding the automaker’s actual production volume. From the moment of its launch at the beginning of this year, the Prius C has accumulated nearly 120,000 orders. That figure greatly exceeds any expectations from Toyota.

According to Mainichi Daily News, the estimates were 10 times lower than that, Toyota expecting to deliver 12,000 units every month. At the present production levels that would mean a customer must wait about 5 months before he can drive the compact hybrid home.

In an effort to cut down on waiting times as much as possible, the decision to augment the production volume has been taken. Takeshi Shirane, senior managing director, stated that “We are seeking ways to deliver cars to customers as soon as possible.”

These ways refer to putting other Japan-based facilities hard at work producing as many Prius C as they can. It is expected that the annual production would reach half a million.

While there is no surprise hybrids are extremely popular in Japan, it is surprising how quickly the Prius C captured the hearts of so many in such a short amount of time. Those who are living in the US, however, should not fear any lists. Subcompacts are not that popular there and Toyota itself expects to sell 25,000 units per year, give or take a few thousands, once the 2012 Prius C hits the markets in a few months.