Toyota enters the next phase of its European powertrain strategy

At an executive meeting with media on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, Toyota shared the next step of its powertrain strategy in Europe

The new generation Auris – to be produced in Burnaston next year – will come with three powertrains, including 2 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) ones:
• 1.2L Turbo – 4-cylinder direct injection turbo-charged petrol engine (116 hp)
• 1.8L HEV Powertrain – 4th generation HEV, same as Prius and Toyota C-HR (122 hp)
• 2.0L HEV Powertrain – New, more powerful, TNGA 2.0L HEV (180 hp)

Similar to the decision taken in 2016, to introduce Toyota C-HR without a diesel version, the new generation Auris will only be offered with petrol and HEV powertrains.

Strong customer demand for HEV versions on its core models means Toyota will phase out diesel engines from all its passenger cars in 2018.

In 2017, HEVs represented 41% of TME total sales, rising +38% year-on-year to 406,000 units. In contrast, Toyota’s diesel mix on passenger cars was less than 10% in 2017.

Toyota will continue to offer diesel engines in commercial vehicles (Hilux, Proace and Land Cruiser) to meet customer needs.

Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe commented:

"Toyota has been pioneering Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) technology for more than 20 years. For several years, HEV versions have been the dominant powertrain where offered.

In our latest new model, the Toyota C-HR, HEVs accounted for 78% of sales last year.

As part of our electrified vehicle strategy, we are progressively expanding our HEV offering with a second, more powerful 2.0l engine. Starting with the new generation Auris, this expanded HEV line-up is a natural reaction to our passenger car customers’ demands.

Toyota’s HEV mix in passenger cars already equalled our diesel mix in 2015. Since then, HEV sales substantially exceed our diesel sales. In commercial vehicles, where personal & business needs (e.g. Torque & Payload) remain, we will continue to offer the latest technology diesels.”

For pictures, please visit: http://newsroom.toyota.eu/

Notes to the editors:

Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, parts and accessories, and Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota directly employs around 20,000 people in Europe and has invested over EUR 9 billion since 1990. Toyota’s operations in Europe are supported by a network of 30 National Marketing and Sales Companies across 53 countries, a total of around 3,000 sales outlets, and nine manufacturing plants. In 2017, Toyota sold 1,001,700 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Europe.

For more information, visit www.toyota-europe.com/