Toyota Global Hybrid Sales Surpass 4 Million Units

The undisputed leader in hybrid-powered vehicles, Toyota, has revealed that as of April 30 2012 its global sales of full hybrid vehicles have topped the 4 million mark.

In the UK, the Japanese company has sold 94,000 Toyota and Lexus hybrid cars, while in Europe as a whole that number jumps to 423,000.

Perhaps still the most famous hybrid car of them all, the Prius, was launched in December 1997 in Japan, but the company’s first hybrid vehicle was actually something much bigger. The Toyota Coaster Hybrid EV was introduced to the Japanese in the August of 1997, beating the Prius by several months and is actually a bus!

The Prius left its home market in 2000, with sales picking up briskly in both Europe and North America. The second generation Toyota Prius was launched in 2003 at which point the company expanded the use of its full hybrid technology to vehicles such as minivans, SUV's, luxury saloons and family hatchbacks.

Six years later in May 2009, the third generation (and current model) Prius launched and was a hit with customers around the world, leading to global cumulative sales of Toyota hybrid vehicles topping 3 million vehicles by the end of February, 2011.

The Toyota range of hybrid cars has expanded too, with the UK-built Auris Hybrid now available and the upcoming Yaris Hybrid which will be built in France. Later this year, the range will appeal to an even wider audience with the launch of the seven seat Prius+ and Prius Plug-in Hybrid.

Globally, Toyota currently sells 19 full hybrid passenger vehicle models in approximately 80 countries. This year, hybrid vehicles have accounted for 15% of Toyota's global vehicle sale.

 

Courtesy of EVworld.com