Toyota’s worldwide sales of hybrid vehicles reach 4 million units

Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation said that global cumulative sales of its hybrid vehicles have topped the 4 million mark as of April 30. Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority and based on its belief that environment-friendly vehicles can only truly have a positive impact if they are used widely, Toyota has endeavored to promote the mass-market adoption of hybrid vehicles. In 1997, Toyota launched the “Coaster Hybrid EV” in August and the “Prius” — the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle — in December in Japan. Sale of the Prius began in North America, Europe and elsewhere in 2000. Next came the second-generation Prius in 2003 and the expanded use of Toyota’s hybrid system on such vehicles as mini-vans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), rear-wheel-drive sedans and compact hatchbacks. The third-generation Prius was launched in May 2009. By February 2011, global cumulative sales of Toyota’s hybrid vehicles reached 3 million units. Since then, new models such as the “Prius Alpha” and the “Aqua” have been launched. Toyota currently sells 18 hybrid, passenger vehicle models in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world. This year, hybrid vehicles have accounted for 15% of Toyota’s global vehicle sales. Toyota also plans to launch the “Yaris Hybrid” in Europe and the Lexus “ES 300h” in the United States. Toyota said that its hybrid vehicles since 1997 has led to approximately 26 million fewer tons of CO2 emissions. Toyota, which considers hybrid as a key technology, said it plans to continue working to further raise performance, reduce costs and expand its product line-up, including non-hybrid environment-friendly vehicles.