Toyota Hybrid Sales Pass 4mn Units Worldwide

22 May, 2012 08:05:00

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Toyota Motor Corporation announces global cumulative sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles have topped the 4-million mark as of April 30, 2012.

The Toyota Prius, famously the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle, was launched in December, 1997 in Japan, but the first hybrid vehicles 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, SUV’s, luxury saloons and family hatchbacks. The third-generation Prius launched in May 2009 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.

Globally, Toyota currently sells 19 full hybrid 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 in CO2 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, to create vehicles that are popular with consumers.

Toyota Motor Corporation hybrid timeline:

Year	Month	Milestone
1997	Mar	Toyota Hybrid System (THS) unveiled
	Aug	Coaster Hybrid EV launched (Japanonly)
	Dec	Prius launched
2000	Nov	Start of full hybrid sales inEurope; Cumulative Prius sales top 50,000 vehicles
2001	Jun	Estima (Previa) Hybrid launched (Japanonly)
2001	Aug	Crown Mild Hybrid launched (Japanonly)
2002	Mar	Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 100,000 mark
2002	Aug	Cumulative Prius sales top 100,000 vehicles
2003	Apr	Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) unveiled
	Jul	Alphard Hybrid launched (Japanonly)
	Sep	Second-generation Prius launched
	Nov	Dyna Hybrid and Toyoace Hybrid launched (Japanonly)
2005	Mar	Harrier Hybrid (RX 400h) and Kluger Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid) launched
	Oct	Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 500,000 mark
	Dec	Second-generation Prius production commenced at theChangchunplant inChina
2006	Mar	GS 450h launched inJapan
	Apr	Cumulative Prius sales top 500,000 vehicles
	May	Camry Hybrid launched (for sale outsideJapan)
	Jun	Redesigned Estima Hybrid launched (Japanonly)
	Oct	Camry Hybrid production commenced at the TMMK’s Kentucky Plant,U.S.; Quick Delivery 200 launched (Japanonly)
2007	May	Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 1 million mark; LS 600h/LS 600hL launched
2008	Feb	Crown Hybrid unveiled (launched in April;Japanonly)
2008	May	Cumulative Prius sales top 1 million vehicles
2009	Jan	RX 450h unveiled (launched in April)
	May	Third-generation Prius launched
	Jul	Camry Hybrid production commenced at the TMT’s Gateway Plant,Thailand; HS 250h launched
	Aug	Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 2 million mark
	Oct	Sai unveiled (launched in December, Japan only)
	Dec	Camry Hybrid production commenced at the TMCA’sAltona Plant,Australia
2010	Apr	Camry Hybrid production commenced at the GTMC’s plant inChina
	Jun	Auris Hybrid production commenced at the TMUK’sBurnaston Plant,UK; Auris Hybrid launched (for sale outsideJapan)
	Jul	Cumulative sales in Japan of TMC hybrids top 1 million vehicles
	Sep	Cumulative Prius sales top 2 million vehicles
	Nov	Third-generation Prius production commenced at TMT’s GatewayPlant,Thailand
2011	Jan	Annual Prius sales inJapanof new vehicles in 2010 were 315,669 vehicles, the largest amount of annual sales ever recorded; CT 200h unveiled
	Feb	Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 3 million mark
	May	Prius α launched
	Aug	Prius sales in Japan top 1 million mark; Camry Hybrid unveiled; Hybrid models of the Alphard and Vellfire added (launched in November, Japan only);
	Oct	TMEC of China conducts cornerstone laying ceremony and announces plan to produce and sell vehicles with hybrid system produced inChinajointly with China FAW Group and GAC by around 2015
	Nov	Prius PHV unveiled (launched in January 2012 inJapanand March in theU.S.and scheduled for launch inEuropein the summer of 2012)
	Dec	Production of third-generation Prius commenced at SFTM’s Changchun Plant inChina; Aqua unveiled
2012	Jan	Redesigned GS 450h launched
	Feb	Start of Highlander Hybrid production at Indiana Plant in theU.S.in the second half of 2013 announced; production and sale of Camry Hybrid inTaiwancommenced
	Apr	Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 4 million mark