Sustained Hybrid Growth Pushes Toyota Group Sales Further Ahead

• Hybrid models accounted for more than a quarter of all Toyota new cars sold in the UK in 2015
• Fourth consecutive year of growth for Toyota  group sales, reaching highest total since 2008
• Light commercials and Lexus also post gains

Toyota hybrids passed another milestone in 2015, a year in which they accounted for one in four of every new Toyota car sold in the UK.

With increased choice and greater customer awareness, hybrid has become the first choice for greater numbers of customers – both in the business/fleet and private retail sectors.

Last year 26,363 new Toyota hybrids left Britain’s showrooms, accounting for 26.4 per cent of all the brand’s new car sales. Figures were up for the British-built Auris Hybrid, the seven-seat Prius+ and Yaris Hybrid – the latter posting a 28.1 per cent hike in annual sales volume. Even Prius commanded stronger results, ahead of an all-new model being introduced this spring.

Hybrid’s prospects look more promising yet, with the arrival of the first RAV4 Hybrid this month and the prospect of the Toyota C-HR compact crossover joining the line-up.

While hybrid has moved swiftly to centre stage, another new Toyota powertrain technology has registered its presence in the UK, with the Mirai hydrogen fuel cell saloon appearing on the sales sheets for the first time. Although modest in terms of numbers, its arrival marks a watershed for the motor industry.

Elsewhere in the Toyota range, Aygo continues to prosper, increasing its share of the city car segment to more than 10 per cent and increasing its sales volume by 19.1 per cent compared to 2014. Yaris was another star performer, gaining a 6.2 per cent share of the UK supermini market and posting a 5.5 per cent increase in sales.

Toyota group sales, including light commercials and Lexus vehicles, reached their highest level for six years, at 122,123 units.

Lexus sales rose to their highest total since 2007, with the NX crossover generating strong volumes during its first full year of sales.

Paul Van der Burgh, Toyota President and Managing Director said: “Our hybrid models are winning the hearts and minds of more and more motorists. They recognise that the technology is not just about exceptionally efficient motoring, it delivers a wonderfully smooth and refined drive with great reliability.

“We are bringing more exciting new Toyota and Lexus models to the market in 2016 and beyond, ever-better cars that we are confident will gain us more growth, both for hybrids and for our wider product range.”

Toyota group sales 2015