Toyota cumulative global hybrid sales pass 5M, nearly 2M in US
17 April 2013
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| Cumulative global sales of TMC hybrid models as of 31 March 2013. Click to enlarge. |
Cumulative global sales of Toyota Motor Corporation’s (TMC’s) hybrid vehicles—including plug-in hybrids—topped the 5 million unit mark as of 31 March 2013, reaching 5.125 million units. Of the global total, sales in the US have accounted for nearly 2 million units (1,951,243).
Last year, hybrid vehicles accounted for 14% of TMC’s global vehicle sales and 40% of its vehicle sales in Japan. As of this month, TMC sells 19 hybrid passenger car models and one plug-in hybrid model in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world. Between now and the end of 2015, Toyota will introduce 18 new hybrid models and expects global sales of its hybrids to be at least 1 million units a year in the same period. TMS forecasts that about one-third of those will be sold in the United States.
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| Cumulative global sales of Toyota hybrid models through 31 March 2013. Click to enlarge. |
Toyota and Lexus sell 19 hybrid models and one plug-in hybrid in 80 countries and regions around the world. Twelve of the models are available in the United States, including seven from Toyota and five from Lexus. They are Prius Liftback, Prius v, Prius c, Prius Plug-in, Camry Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, Lexus CT 200h, ES 300h, GS 450h, LS 600h and RX 450h.
Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles make up 70% of the US auto industry’s total hybrid sales, while they account for 16% of overall Toyota/Lexus sales, both globally and locally. Total industry hybrid sales are roughly three percent of the US car market.
Of the 12 US models, Camry Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid and RX 450h are manufactured in North America with a fourth model, Highlander Hybrid, planned.
TMC calculates that as of 31 March, TMC hybrid vehicles have resulted in approximately 34 million fewer tons of CO2 emissions than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance. TMC also estimates that its hybrid vehicles have saved approximately 12 million kiloliters of gasoline (about 3 billion gallons of gasoline) compared to the amount used by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size.
TMC launched the Coaster Hybrid EV in August 1997 and launched the Prius in December of that year.
We developed the first-generation Prius with the aim of making it a car for the twenty-first century and as an indication of Toyota's response to environmental issues. We had to develop a hybrid system from scratch, making our task extremely difficult. Nevertheless, we took on the challenge. The launch of the first-generation Prius had effects beyond our expectations, with the vehicle increasing consumer environmental awareness and raising hybrid vehicle expectations. The understanding of consumers at launch time laid the foundation for the widespread adoption, and, since then, consumers have continued to support TMC hybrid vehicles. For this, I am extremely grateful.
—TMC Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, who was responsible for development of the first-generation Prius
With more than 50 hybrid vehicle models from various manufacturers available in the US today, hybrids on the road are saving nearly 500 million gallons of petroleum annually in this country.
—Tony Markel, senior engineer with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
The benefits of hybrid ownership are primarily economic. I think the corporations stress the environmental as the primary reason for owning one because they don't want to encourage thought. Thought in the hands of the consumer can lead to lower consumption. It's too bad they do that. The motivations of people vary and there are plenty of good reasons to be in favor of newer less expensive technologies. By making it only about the environment you definitely discourage those that see the EPA as a nanny state organization. Although, if there were anyone one I would like to see spend their money stupidly and frivolously it would be those ranting about the nanny state. It's just that in the early stages of these markets, it is essential to get as much support from consumers as possible to assure lowering of cost through quantity discounts, lessons learned in real manufacturing environments and to incentivise further innovation. I guess, I am thinking not so much about the car companies, but rather component suppliers like battery makers and electric motor makers etc..
Posted by: Brotherkenny4 | 17 April 2013 at 09:14 AM
Over 40% of Toyota's sales in Japan are already electrified hybrids and the percentage is increasing every month.
If the 20+ other manufacturers would have done as well as Toyota did in Japan, over 34,000,000 electrified hybrids would have been sold worldwide in 2012?
Secondly, fuel consumption for 2012 cars and light trucks would have been reduce by about 20%.
A hand to Toyota as the world leader for more efficient vehicles.
Posted by: HarveyD | 17 April 2013 at 10:31 AM