Toyota hybrid vehicle sales have passed the 8 million barrier.
The new milestone has been reached just 10 months after the 7 million mark was achieved, highlighting a combination of the drivetrain’s popularity and Toyota’s expansion of its range of hybrid vehicles.
Since launching the Prius in 1997 (from 2000 in the UK), Toyota has been gradually adding models to its range, from the Yaris Hybrid supermini to the recently announced RAV4 Hybrid. Since 2010 the line-up has included the British-built Auris Hybrid, Europe’s best-selling hybrid model.
As of this month, Toyota sells 30 different hybrid passenger cars (including Lexus models) in more than 90 markets around the world.
In the UK the line-up comprises the Toyota Prius, the seven-seat Prius+, Prius Plug-in, Yaris Hybrid and Auris and Auris Touring Sports Hybrid, together with the Lexus CT 200h, IS 300h, NX 300h, GS 300h and 450h, RX 450h and LS 600hL.
According to Toyota, the eight million hybrid vehicles sold have resulted in savings of around 58 million tons of CO2 emissions and 22 million kilolitres of fuel, compared to the performance of the same number of equivalent, petrol-powered vehicles.
Hybrid remains Toyota’s core technology in its development of alternative powertrains, notably in the Mirai, the world’s first production hydrogen fuel cell saloon and the Toyota TS040 Hybrid racer which claimed the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship.