Tokyo, May 22, 2012 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that global cumulative sales of its hybrid vehicles have topped the 4 million mark as of April 30(1). 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, TMC has endeavored to promote the mass-market adoption of hybrid vehicles. In 1997 in Japan, TMC launched the "Coaster Hybrid EV" in August and launched the"Prius" - the world's first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle - in December. Sales 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 TMC's hybrid system on such vehicles as minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and compact hatchbacks. In particular, the third-generation Prius launched in May 2009 received strong support from customers around the world, leading to global cumulative sales of TMC's hybridvehicles topping 3 million vehicles by the end of February 2011. Since then, new models such as the "Prius Alpha" and the "Aqua" have been launched. TMC 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 TMC's global vehicle sales. With the upcoming "Yaris Hybrid" scheduled for launch in Europe and the Lexus "ES 300h" for the United States, TMC is committed to augmenting itsproduct lineup even further and increasing the number of countries and regions in which it sells hybrid vehicles. As of April 30, 2012, TMC calculates that TMC hybrid vehicles(2), since 1997, have led to approximately 26 million fewer tons(3)ofCO2 emissions - considered to be a cause of climate change - than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance. Having positioned hybrid technologies - consisting of the component technologies necessary for development of various environment - friendly cars - as key technologies, TMC plans to continue working to further raise performance, reduce costs, and expand its product lineup, including that of non-hybrid environment-friendly vehicles,tocreate vehicles that are popular with consumers.
TMC Hybrid Vehicle Chronology
1997Mar: Toyota Hybrid System (THS) unveiledAug: Coaster Hybrid EV launched (Japan only)Dec: Prius launched
2000Nov: Cumulative Prius sales top 50,000 vehicles
2001Jun: Estima Hybrid launched (Japan only)Aug: Crown Mild Hybrid launched (Japan only)
2002Mar: Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 100,000 markAug: Cumulative Prius sales top 100,000 vehicles
2003Apr: Toyota Hybrid SystemII(THS II) unveiledJul: Alphard Hybrid launched (Japan only)Sep: Second-generation
2005Mar: Harrier Hybrid (RX 400h) and Kluger Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid) launchedOct:Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 500,000 markDec: Second-generation Prius production commenced at the Changchun plant in China
2006Mar: GS 450h launched in JapanApr: Cumulative Prius sales top 500,000 vehiclesMay: Camry Hybridlaunched(for sale outside Japan)Jun: Redesigned Estima Hybrid launched (Japan only)Oct: Camry Hybrid production commenced at the TMMK's Kentucky Plant, U.S.; Quick Delivery 200 launched (Japan only)
2007May: Cumulative hybrid vehicle salestop 1million mark; LS 600h/LS 600hL launched
2008Feb: Crown Hybrid unveiled (launched in April; Japan only)May: Cumulative Prius sales top 1 million vehicles
2009Jan: RX 450h unveiled (launched in April)May: Third-generation
2010Apr: Camry Hybrid production commenced at the GTMC's plant in ChinaJun: Auris Hybrid production commenced at the TMUK's Burnaston Plant, UK; Auris Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)Jul: Cumulative sales inJapan of TMC hybrids top 1 million vehiclesSep: Cumulative Prius sales top 2 million vehiclesNov: Third-generation Prius production commenced at TMT's Gateway Plant, Thailand
2011Jan: Annual Prius sales in Japan of new vehiclesin 2010were 315,669 vehicles, the largest amount of annual sales ever recorded; CT 200h unveiledFeb: Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 3 million markMay: Prius
2012Jan: Redesigned GS 450h launchedFeb: Start of Highlander Hybrid production at Indiana Plant in the U.S. in the second half of 2013 announced; production and sale of Camry Hybrid in Taiwan commencedApr: Cumulativehybrid vehicle sales top 4 million mark
(1) Based on TMC data(2) Excluding the Coaster Hybrid EV, Dyna Hybrid, Toyoace Hybrid and Quick Delivery 200(3) Number of registered vehicles x distance traveled x fuel efficiency (actual fuel efficiencyin each country) xCO2 conversion factor
About Toyota
Supported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203;TM), has endeavored since its establishment in 1937 to serve society by creating better products. As of the end of March 2011, Toyota conducts its business worldwide with 50 overseas manufacturing companies in 26 countries and regions. Toyota's vehicles are sold in more than 170 countries and regions. Toyota's vehicles are sold in more than 170 countries and regions. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.
Contact:
Toyota Motor Corporation Corporate Communications Department Public Affairs Division Tel: +81-3-3817-9150
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