Toyota announced today that the company has now sold 1,000,000 hybrids in the USA since the Prius’ introduction in 2000. An extrodinary number to say the least, it’s certainly a clear indicator that hybrid technology is a strong selling point. From the press release:
The sales milestone was achieved with an industry-leading six Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles including the Toyota Prius, the world’s first mass-produced gas-electric hybrid and the all-time worldwide leader in hybrid sales.
With the expansion of its hybrid technology to a diverse group of vehicles, Toyota has commanded nearly 75 percent of all hybrid vehicles sales in the U.S. over the past 10 years. Overall, cumulative worldwide sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrids have exceeded 1.7 million vehicles through January of this year.
“One million hybrids in less than nine years indicates how quickly American consumers have accepted this important technology,” said Jim Lentz, TMS president. “Toyota’s hybrid leadership will continue to expand in the U.S. and around the globe. With 10 new hybrid models between now and 2012 in various global markets, we plan to sell one million gas-electric hybrids per year, worldwide, sometime early in the next decade.”
More than 70% of the hybrids sold were the Toyota Prius, leaving the remaining 300,000 or so divided up amongst the Lexus GSh, RXh, LSh and the Toyota Highlander & Camry. What’s more, Jim Lentz mentions that there will be a total of 10 hybrids by 2012.
Adding the Lexus HS 250h brings Toyota’s hybrid count to 7 — what about the other 3? My guess: Lexus GX/4Runner, Lexus ES, and the Toyota Yaris.
[Source: Toyota]
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