On January 31st, Toyota Motor Corporation announced that global cumulative sales of its hybrid vehicles hit 10.5 million units crossing the ten million milestone.
Toyota’s hybrid vehicle sales began in 1997 when it launched the Coaster Hybrid EV in August and the Prius in December. The milestone of 10 million units was achieved just nine months after total sales reached 9 million units at the end of April 2016.
With this kind of success, hybrid technology has currently become the most accepted solution to tackling greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Its greater impact lies in the creation of a new customer standard of choosing cars based on their environmental performance. As the number of companies developing and launching hybrid vehicles increased, a new segment of ‘hybrid vehicles’ was established.
In addition, now that customers around the world are opting to purchase hybrid vehicles and other fuel-efficient vehicles, the entire automobile industry has been able to contribute to the solution of global environmental problems.
As of January 31, Toyota estimates that the use of Toyota's hybrid vehicles in lieu of conventional petrol-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance has resulted in approximately 77 million fewer tons of CO2 emissions and has saved approximately 29 million kilolitres of petrol.
"When we launched Prius, no one even knew what a hybrid was. Those who drove it were called geeks or other names. Today, thanks to those early adopters who gave Prius a chance, hybrids have grown in popularity, and have ridden a wave of success out of the unknown and into the mainstream," said Takeshi Uchiyamada, chairman of the Board of Directors at Toyota and known as the 'Father of the Prius'. "We are grateful to each and every one of our customers who has helped us achieve this important milestone of 10 million hybrid sales. We are committed to continue working hand-in-hand with them to tackle global environmental issues."
Toyota hybrids also sell in India with Toyota launching the newest 4th generation Prius recently. The Camry too has a hybrid model in India which outsells its petrol sibling. Camry hybrid which is assembled locally at Toyota Kirloskar’s plant in Bidadi has sold a total of 2,742 units in India.
