Toyota hybrids becoming mainstream as sales top three million

By Wright Communications

Global demand for Toyota's hybrid vehicles is accelerating rapidly, with one million being sold in the past 18 months alone - more than one per minute.

By contrast, it took almost 10 years to sell the first one million Toyota hybrids and two years and three months to sell the second million - a milestone reached in September 2010.

The global total of Toyota hybrid sales to the end of February was just over 3 million, which includes more than 2.1 million Prius and 210,000 Hybrid Camry.

Toyota in Japan calculates that its worldwide sales of hybrid vehicles* since 1997 have contributed greatly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, which are considered to be a cause of global warming.

It says these vehicles have generated approximately 18 million fewer tons** of CO2 than would have been produced by petrol-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance.

Toyota New Zealand executive director Paul Carroll said responding to environmental issues whilst providing a range of fun to drive vehicles for customers is a priority for the company.

He said: "Customers are increasingly turning to hybrid vehicles in the face of rising fuel costs and a desire for more sustainable low cost motoring. As the leader in hybrid technology, Toyota is well placed to meet consumer needs both now and in the future."

In New Zealand there are over 3,400 Prius on the road and Hybrid Camry which launched just last year accounts for a further 451.  Luxury brand Lexus boosts for a further five hybrid models available in New Zealand.

Ends

 

Info for editors:

Toyota sells 16 hybrid models in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world.

It plans to introduce 10 new-model hybrid vehicles by the end of 2012, including six newly launched vehicles and four vehicles that have been redesigned.

In New Zealand, customers are offered the Toyota Prius and Hybrid Camry.  In the luxury market there are five hybrid vehicles: the Lexus GS 450h, RX 450h and LS 600hL.  From April 1st the recently launched Lexus CT200h, luxury compact sports hybrid is also available for sale.

Toyota's hybrid sales began in Japan in 1997 with the launch in August of the Coaster Hybrid EV. This was followed in December by Prius, with just 323 sales in that first month.

Prius sales began in Australia in 2001. The second-generation Prius, equipped with the Toyota Hybrid System II, was the first model introduced in New Zealand  in 2003 with an emphasis on delivering both power and economy.

The third-generation Prius, introduced in 2009, has the lowest emissions of any vehicle on the market at just 89 grams/km and ultra-low fuel economy of 3.9 litres/100km.***

Over time, Toyota has expanded the use of its hybrid system to minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and other vehicles.

Australian motorists have bought more than 16,000 Prius hatches and more than 7,000 Hybrid Camry sedans.

* Excluding the Coaster Hybrid EV, Dyna Hybrid, Toyoace Hybrid and Quick Delivery 200.

**Number of registered vehicles × distance travelled × fuel costs (actual fuel efficiency in each country) × CO2 conversion factor.

*** Fuel consumption and emissions will vary depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle conditions and options/accessories. Source of fuel consumption data: ADR 81/02.


Toyota global hybrid vehicle sales (000s)

Year

Japan  

Overseas

Total

Cumulative

1997

0.3

-

0.3

0.3

1998

17.7

-

17.7

18.0

1999

15.3

-

15.3

33.2

2000

12.5

6.5

19.0

52.3

2001

18.5

18.5

36.9

89.2

2002

20.0

21.4

41.3

130.5

2003

27.2

26.1

53.3

183.8

2004

68.7

66.0

134.7

318.5

2005

58.5

176.4

234.9

553.5

2006

72.4

240.1

312.5

866.0

2007

82.0

347.5

429.4

1,295.4

2008

104.4

325.3

429.7

1,725.1

2009

251.1

278.9

530.1

2,255.2

2010

392.2

298.0

690.2

2,945.4

2011

41.4

51.8

93.3

3,038.8

TOTALS

1,182.2

1,856.5

 

 



Note: Includes Lexus. Based on TMC data. Numbers are subject to rounding.

Toyota's hybrid vehicle chronology

Year

Month

Milestones

1997

Mar

Unveiling of the Toyota Hybrid System (THS)

 

Dec

Prius launched in Japan

2000

Nov

Cumulative Prius sales top 50,000 vehicles

2002

Mar

Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 100,000 mark

 

Aug

Cumulative Prius sales top 100,000 vehicles

2003

Apr

Unveiling of the Toyota Hybrid System II (THSII)

 

Sep

Prius completely redesigned

2005

Oct

Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 500,000 mark

 

Dec

Prius production begins in China

2006

Apr

Cumulative Prius sales top 500,000 vehicles

 

May

Camry Hybrid launched

 

Oct

Camry Hybrid production commenced at TMMK, Kentucky, Inc in the US

2007

May

Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 1 million mark. LS600h, LS600hL launched

2008

May

Cumulative Prius sales top one million vehicles

 

Jun

Hybrid Camry production announced for Australia and Thailand

2009

Jan

Third-generation Prius and RX 450h unveiled

 

May

Third-generation Prius launched (August in New Zealand )

 

July

HS250h launched

 

Aug

Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top two-million mark

 

Dec

Hybrid Camry production commences in Australia

2010

Feb

Hybrid Camry goes on sale in New Zealand

 

Jun

Auris Hybrid production commences in the UK

 

Sep

Cumulative Prius sales top two million vehicles

Toyota New Zealand trials three Plug-in Hybrid Prius with Massey University

 

Dec

Annual Prius sales in Japan of 315,669 - a record for any vehicle

 

Dec

Annual global hybrid sales of 690,000 - up from 530,000 in 2009

2011

Feb

Cumulative hybrid vehicles sales top three-million mark

 

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