4 million Toyota and Lexus full hybrid vehicles sold

Total global sales of Toyota and Lexus full hybrid vehicles

Total global sales of Toyota and Lexus full hybrid vehicles have hit the 4 million mark as of 30 April 2012. Cumulative sales of full hybrid vehicles in Europe reached 423,000 units, and 94,000 in the UK.

The Toyota Prius , the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle, was launched in December, 1997 in Japan. However the first hybrid vehicle was actually a bus, the Toyota Coaster Hybrid EV, which was introduced to the Japanese market in August 1997.

Sales of the Prius began in Europe, North America and elsewhere in 2000. 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, SUVs, luxury saloons and family hatchbacks. The third-generation Prius was launched in May 2009 and led to global cumulative sales of Toyota hybrid vehicles topping 3 million vehicles by the end of February 2011.

As Toyota’s hybrid range expanded, localised production started such as the UK-built Toyota Auris Hybrid and the forthcoming Toyota 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 sales.

Toyota estimates its full hybrid vehicles have led to a saving of approximately 26 million tonnes of CO ₂ emissions compared to what would have been emitted by petrol or diesel powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance.

Having positioned hybrid as a key technology, Toyota plans to continue working to further raise performance, reduce costs, and expand its product line-up, including that of non-hybrid environment-friendly vehicles.

Toyota Motor Corporation hybrid timeline and sales figures: