Toyota Electrified Models Power Sales Growth and Record Market Share in 2021

Toyota has posted a strong performance across the board in new vehicle sales in 2021, overcoming trading challenges experienced throughout the motor industry. 

It ended the year with 100,433 new car sales and a record 6.1 per cent market share. The figures mark an increase of almost 10 per cent on 2020’s performance, while retail sales soared by 19.4 per cent (giving another record market share). 

Toyota’s alternative fuel vehicles – hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, battery electric and fuel cell electric – accounted for more than two thirds (69 per cent) of all new sales in 2021. 

Yaris Hybrid, the current European Car of the Year, was a star performer, setting a new high for annual sales with 24,152 registrations, securing its place in the UK’s top-10-selling models. Its market appeal was strengthened with the sell-out success of the high-performance, rally-inspired GR Yaris, while the recently launched Yaris Cross hybrid electric compact SUV notched up more than 2,500 sales in its first four months on sale. 

The British-built Corolla hybrid electric Hatchback and Touring Sports achieved a 7.7 per cent increase in sales volume in a market segment that declined overall by 12.5 per cent. Similarly, the Toyota C-HR hybrid electric SUV enjoyed its best year yet with registrations nudging 18,000 – a 7.5 per cent increase on 2021’s performance. In its first year on sale, the new RAV4 Plug-in amassed more than 1,500 sales. 

Aygo, soon to be replaced by the all-new Aygo X, ended 2021 in impressive form, with year-on-year sales rising by three per cent to achieve an exceptional 22.7 per cent share of the city car segment. 

The expansion of the Toyota Professional range of light commercial vehicles, including the introduction of the Proace Electric zero emission medium duty van, is reflected in the highest sales volume yet for Toyota, at 13,761 units. Highlights of the year’s performance include the best UK results on record for the redoubtable Hilux pick-up – helped by the addition of the more powerful 2.8-litre engine option – and almost 1,400 first-year sales for the Proace City compact van. Proace City’s prospects will strengthen early in 2022 with the introduction of the Proace City Electric. 

Commenting on the results, Mark Roden, Toyota (GB) Sales Director, said: “These are exceptional figures in a year which saw the entire motor industry facing unprecedented challenges from the Covid pandemic and the knock-on effect of global supply issues. It is thanks to the hard work and commitment of our suppliers, our retail partners and our teams at Toyota (GB) that we have been able to maintain our service to customers and secure a strong sales performance. At the same time, the results further demonstrate how our growing, market-leading range of electrified vehicles is finding great favour with customers who appreciate the combination of low and zero emission performance with the traditional Toyota values of quality, durability and reliability. 

“We have an exciting year of new model introductions ahead, including Aygo X, GR86 and the all-electric bZ4X SUV – our first purpose-designed battery electric model – so we are optimistic about building on the success we have achieved in 2021.” 

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ENDS