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Toyota lead the hybrid charge: 200,000 vehicles

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) today confirmed that cumulative hybrid sales in Europe have topped the 200,000 mark, with 50% of sales recorded in the last 24 months.

TME has sold a total of 202,126 Toyota and Lexus hybrids since introducing Europe’s first commercial hybrid in 2000. The breakthrough result coincides with news that Toyota has sold over two million hybrids globally since launching the world’s first mass-produced hybrid, Prius, in 1997 to critical acclaim.

Toyota’s hybrid technology has been truly embraced by the mainstream. The rapid acceleration in sales is proof of the resilience of the full hybrid systems and their ability to deliver on all counts, from low emissions to ride and handling. Toyota is committed to extending Hybrid Synergy Drive® to all core models, making these benefits more accessible to more customers.

Toyota and Lexus cumulative hybrid sales in the Irish market currently stands at 3,642, led by the Toyota Prius. The third generation Toyota Prius is due to be launched in Ireland in October. Equipped with a new Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, CO2 emissions start from as low as 89 g/km –a figure unmatched by any other family car.

In August 2009, Prius was ranked the most environmentally-friendly car, for the fourth time since 2004, by Germany’s Transport Association, Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD). Like its predecessor, the new Prius has also picked up the maximum 5-star rating in the newly-revised Euro NCAP crash test assessment.

To date, Lexus have sold a total of 1147 hybrid vehicles in Ireland and with the recent launch of the new RX Hybrid this figure is sure to increase even further in the coming months. The new RX Hybrid has the world’s lowest CO2 emissions (148g/km) for a full size all wheel drive crossover.

Lexus remains the only premium brand in Europe to offer three full hybrids as part of its range: the GS 450h, the LS 600h and the newly-launched RX Hybrid. Together, these models – thanks to the technological advantage of Lexus Hybrid Drive – comprise over 40% of Lexus sales in Europe.

Lexus are also set to reveal their new Full Hybrid premium compact concept at the forthcoming Frankfurt Motor Show which starts on September 15th. The debut of this all new Lexus Hybrid Drive model will further reinforce Lexus’ position as the only manufacturer to offer a range of full hybrid vehicles.

Toyota has a global target of one million hybrid sales per year by the early 2010s, with European sales representing up to 10% of this target. In July, TME announced that it would manufacture a hybrid version of its C-segment hatchback, Auris, in the United Kingdom from mid-2010 – marking a critical first step in the company’s plans to offer a hybrid version of every model in the early 2020s.