- New Corolla GR Sport handed over to customer in Madrid was the three millionth hybrid car sold by Toyota Motor Europe (TME)
- Full hybrid Hatchback and Touring Sports versions of Corolla, the world’s best-selling Toyota model, are manufactured in the UK
- Wide range of full hybrid Toyota and Lexus vehicles deliver sales success as well as CO2 leadership
Toyota has now sold three million hybrid electric vehicles in Europe, building on its heritage as the first company to offer mass, affordable electrification to customers and cutting vehicle emissions across the continent.
Toyota’s full hybrid cars (including Lexus – a division of Toyota Motor Corporation) have helped the brand remain at the top of the CO2 reduction charts for mass market manufacturers.
The landmark car was a British-built Corolla GR Sport hybrid, bought by customer Nicolás Jiménez from Madrid in Spain.
Mr Jiménez chose the sportily-styled version of the Corolla, which he collected last week, saying: “Today, with the restrictions to enter many cities, a hybrid is essential. I have not considered any other option than hybrid because the Low Emission Zones (LEZ) will not only reach cities like Madrid or Barcelona but many others.”
Mr Jiménez continued: “I have chosen a Corolla GR Sport because of the design, which makes me feel 30 years younger. I am young at heart and this is the version of Corolla that suits me best in that sense. I went to the dealership for a Yaris hybrid, but when I laid eyes on the Corolla I realised that it responded even better to my needs. The size, but also because it is a car that allows both travelling long distances and moving comfortably within a city like Madrid ”.
President and CEO of Toyota Spain, Miguel Carsi, was present at the handover of the new Corolla hybrid GR Sport to Mr. Jiménez at the Toyota Retailer Comauto Sur in Madrid.
Mr Carsi said: “For Toyota Spain, it is a great honour to deliver the three millionth hybrid electric vehicle. Following our rapid hybrid growth, we are excited to see that customers looking for cars with more sports appeal are also considering hybrid electric powertrains. This underlines their confidence that our hybrid technology can deliver the necessary driving pleasure and performance.”
Toyota started selling hybrid electric vehicles in Europe in 2000 with Prius. Today, customers can choose from a range of 20 different HEV models across the Toyota and Lexus brands, which in 2019 accounted for 52 per cent of the total sales volume, and 63 per cent in Western Europe.
Toyota’s long-term strategy to focus on hybrid electric powertrains across the majority of its range has allowed the company to become the leader in meeting ever tougher emissions regulations in Europe. Our full hybrid technology, now in its fourth generation, is incredibly effective at running without tailpipe emissions, particularly in urban environments.
“Three million hybrid electric vehicle sales is an important milestone as it highlights the mass appeal that our hybrids have with customers, ” said Matt Harrison, Executive Vice President of TME. “Our hybrid sales success puts Toyota well on track to meeting the 95g/km target set by the EU commission for 2020 and 2021 in Europe.”
Worldwide the company has already sold more than 15 million full hybrid vehicles, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 120 million tonnes globally. The Toyota hybrid technology is also the foundation of Toyota’s multi-powertrain electrification strategy which includes BEV, PHEV and FCEV.
Global Hybrid Facts & Figures
- 6 million annual hybrid sales (approx.)
- 1997 saw the Toyota Prius launched in Japan, first Toyota hybrid
- 120 million tonnes CO2 savings made after selling 15 million hybrids
- 44 different hybrid models sold
- More than 90 countries selling Toyota hybrids
European Hybrid Facts & Figures
- Three million full hybrids sold in Europe (cumulative since 2000)
- 52 per cent hybrid mix in 2019
- More than 550,000 hybrids sold in 2019
- Start of hybrid sales in Europe with the launch of the Toyota Prius in 2000
- 20 full hybrid models in the European line-up (including Lexus)
- Four hybrid-related production sites in Europe: UK, France, Turkey and Poland
ENDS
For further information please contact one of the following: –
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David Crouch on 01737367505 or by email at david.crouch@tgb.toyota.co.uk
General, fleet and motorsport media enquiries