Auris, Verso And RAV4 Excel In Toyota’s 2013 Sales Results
Toyota posted a further increase in its UK sales in 2013, with Auris, Verso and RAV4 delivering particularly strong results in some of the most competitive parts of the market.
The second generation Auris hatchback – built in the UK at Toyota’s Burnaston plant – enjoyed an excellent first full year in the showroom since its launch in late 2012. Customers have responded positively to the appeal of the new model, pushing sales up by almost two thirds year-on-year (64.2 per cent).This performance was the largest year-on-year sales increase of any compact family hatchback.
The figures also reveal that Auris Hybrid has become Britain’s best-selling hybrid model, amassing 6,160 sales in the past year, nearly 40 per cent of all Auris sales. Toyota’s continuing extension of its hybrid technology into the mainstream market included the introduction of Auris Hybrid Touring Sports last spring. The hybrid wagon has quickly proved the most popular in the range, attracting more than double the sales of its petrol and diesel stablemates.
Verso, Toyota’s family-friendly compact MPV, successfully ramped up its customer appeal with a mid-life update during 2013. That helped it secure a sales increase of almost 20 per cent compared to its 2012 performance. This momentum should be maintained during 2014 with the introduction of a new 1.6 D-4D diesel engine to the range, delivering stronger performance, fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
The new RAV4 was an exceptional performer for Toyota last year, ending the year with sales up by 78 per cent. Thanks in large part to the big appeal of the 2.0-litre D-4D two-wheel drive version of the SUV, sales to fleet and business customers soared by 148 per cent.
Aygo is the longest-established model in Toyota’s UK line-up, but age and the presence of many newer rivals in the market have not diminished the city car’s enduring popularity. It achieved the remarkable feat of increasing sales in its eighth year.
Prius Plug-in’s best-of-both-worlds petrol-electric technology proved to be the people’s choice, outselling its nearest rival, the Vauxhall Ampera, by a ratio of more than two-to-one. Overall sales of Toyota’s plug-in hybrid rose by 8.5 per cent compared to 2012.
Total Toyota passenger car sales in 2013 were 88,653, giving the company a 3.9 per cent market share.
