First it was the owners of 4x4s that were targeted by abuse in the street, as so called environmentalists shared their opinion of the drivers choice of car.
Today, we hear that the shoe is firmly on the other foot, with Prius owners becoming the latest target of vandalism.
American website 'Inside Line' reports that a Prius was recently burned to the ground in Los Angeles in an arson attack. But just in case you were thinking that this was a one- off, seven of the Toyota Hybrids were vandalised in California over a two- week period earlier this year. The unluckiest owner has to be a woman who had her own Prius vandalised twice, and when it went in for repairs her hired Prius also came under attack.
Toyota spokesman John Hanson believes people perturbed by the whole environmental movement might feel justified in beating up a car that has become an icon for it.