IT BEGAN WITH THE PRIUS, way back in 1997 and now Toyota’s commitment to hybrid vehicles is paying off.
Global sales have now passed 15 million, or 23.5 percent of 2020 deliveries and Australian sales at 134,200.
Toyota Australia also recently announced it expects to receive additional supplies of its popular RAV4 Hybrid SUV during the second half of 2020.
Since Prius made its debut in 1997 (2001 in Australia), it has been followed by an increasingly wide range of hybrid models that has continuously improved performance, fuel economy and emissions.
Sales of Toyota’s hybrid vehicles have soared as the company has combined its hybrid technology with the dynamic, safety and styling benefits inherent in its new series of TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platforms.
RAV4 is Toyota’s top-selling Australian hybrid so far this year, displacing Corolla which led hybrid sales in 2019. Camry remains the best-selling hybrid in this country with a cumulative total of 63,700 sales.
The growth in hybrid sales is set to be strengthened this year with the introduction of the all-new Yaris hatch and – as announced last week – the Yaris Cross SUV. Both will be available with Toyota’s latest, fourth-generation hybrid electric system.
Australian customers can also choose from hybrid versions of the C-HR SUV as well as the Prius, Prius c and Prius v.
Toyota Australia’s Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley said hybrids will be an essential part of the overall future mix of electrified vehicles because they are affordable, accessible and convenient for customers.
“Toyota has more than two decades of electrification experience and its core hybrid technologies – electric motors, batteries and power-control units – are transferable to all forms of electrified powertrains,” Mr Hanley said.
“This expertise will ensure Toyota continues to lead the development of various types of electrified vehicles, reducing emissions based on market regulations, infrastructure and customer demand,” he said.
“It will be a future in which different electrified technologies all play a part, including hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel-cell electric and battery-electric vehicles.”