Worldwide cumulative sales of Toyota hybrid vehicles have topped the three million mark, with 3.03 million recorded by the end of February this year.
Since the launch of the Toyota Coaster Hybrid EV coach in August 1997 and the introduction of the first-generation Prius – the world’s first mass-produced hybrid – in December the same year, Toyota has successfully propelled hybrid technology from automotive niche towards the mainstream, an achievement demonstrated by an acceleration in sales that has seen more than a million new hybrids being added to the sales total since August 2009.
In the UK hybrid sales began with Prius in October 2000 and have reached more than 73,000. Today British customers can choose from six Toyota and Lexus hybrids, including the British-built Auris and the new Lexus CT 200h, the first full hybrid in the luxury compact segment.
Around the world Toyota currently offers 16 hybrids in around 80 countries, including MPVs, saloons, hatchbacks and SUVs, plus three commercial vehicles in Japan.
The rate of growth is expected to quicken further, as Toyota prepares for the introduction of 10 new hybrids in world markets by the end of 2012, including six new vehicles and four redesigned models. The company is committed to building this line-up further and also expanding the number of world markets in which its hybrids are available.
As of the end of February this year, Toyota calculates that its hybrid sales* have led to approximately 18 million fewer tons** of CO2 emissions than would have been produced by petrol-powered vehicles of comparable size and performance.
*Excluding Coaster Hybrid EV, Dyna Hybrid, Toyotace Hybrid and Quick Delivery 200
** Number of registered vehicles x distance travelled x fuel costs (actual fuel efficiency in each country x CO2 conversion factor.
Toyota Hybrid Milestones
|
YEAR |
MONTH |
MILESTONE |
|
1997 |
Mar. |
Toyota Hybrid System (THS) unveiled |
|
Aug. |
Coaster Hybrid EV launched (Japan only) |
|
|
Dec. |
Prius launched |
|
|
2000 |
Oct. |
Prius launched in the UK |
|
Nov. |
Cumulative Prius sales top 50,000 vehicles |
|
|
2001 |
Jun. |
Estima Hybrid launched (Japan only) |
|
Aug. |
Crown Mild Hybrid launched (Japan only) |
|
|
2002 |
Mar. |
Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 100,000 mark |
|
Aug. |
Cumulative Prius sales top 100,000 vehicles |
|
|
2003 |
Apr. |
Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) unveiled |
|
Jul. |
Alphard Hybrid launched (Japan only) |
|
|
Sep. |
Second-generation Prius launched |
|
|
Nov. |
Dyna Hybrid and Toyoace Hybrid launched (Japan only) |
|
|
2005 |
Mar. |
Harrier Hybrid (Lexus RX 400h outside Japan) and Kluger Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid) launched |
|
May |
Lexus RX 400h launched in the UK |
|
|
Oct. |
Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 500,000 mark |
|
|
Dec. |
Prius production commenced at the Changchun Plant, China |
|
|
2006 |
Mar. |
GS 450h launched in Japan |
|
Apr. |
Cumulative Prius sales top 500,000 vehicles |
|
|
May |
Camry Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan) |
|
|
Jun. |
Redesigned Estima Hybrid launched (Japan only) |
|
|
Oct. |
Camry Hybrid production commenced at the TMMK’s Kentucky Plant, U.S. |
|
|
2007 |
May |
Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 1-million mark. |
|
Oct. |
Lexus LS 600h/LS 600hL launched in the UK |
|
|
2008 |
Feb. |
Crown Hybrid unveiled (launched in April; Japan only) |
|
May |
Cumulative Prius sales top 1 million vehicles |
|
|
2009 |
Jan. |
Lexus RX 450h unveiled |
|
May |
Third-generation Prius launched |
|
|
Jul. |
Camry Hybrid production commenced at the TMT’s Gateway Plant, Thailand. |
|
|
Aug. |
Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 2-million mark |
|
|
Oct. |
Sai unveiled (launched in December, Japan only) |
|
|
Dec. |
Camry Hybrid production commenced at TMCAAltona Plant, Australia |
|
|
2010 |
Apr. |
Camry Hybrid production commenced at the GTMC plant in China |
|
Jun. |
Auris Hybrid production commenced at the TMUK Burnaston Plant, UK. Auris Hybrid launched |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sep. |
Cumulative Prius sales top 2 million vehicles |
|
|
Nov. |
Prius production commenced at the TMT Gateway Plant, Thailand |
|
|
2011 |
Jan. |
Annual Prius sales in Japan of new vehicles in 2010 were 315,669 vehicles, the largest amount of annual sales ever recorded. |
|
Feb. |
Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 3-million mark |
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