Toyota Posts Strong Growth In The Heart Of The Market

KEY POINTS

• Toyota’s complete renewal of its core family market models central to impressive September sales figures
• New Auris and RAV4 sales up by around two thirds in first nine months of 2013, new Verso volume up by one third
• Aygo still adding sales in its eighth year

Toyota reaped the benefits of its comprehensive renewal of its core family market models in September with impressive results recorded by its Auris hatchback, Verso MPV and RAV4 compact SUV, all of which were launched within the past year.

Its focus on delivering more efficient performance, higher quality and increased driving pleasure is proving a winner with UK customers, allied to Toyota’s reputation for durability, reliability and excellent customer service.

In the year up to the end of September, sales of Auris petrol and diesel models have risen by 64.2 per cent, while the hybrid version has seen retail sales soar by almost 250 per cent. Built in Britain, Auris is establishing itself as a main player in the heart of the market, supported by promising early results for the Touring Sports version. In September the hybrid, petrol and diesel versions of the new wagon – another product from Toyota’s Derbyshire plant – nudged the 650 mark.

The seven-seat Verso, which benefited from a full styling and dynamic makeover in late 2012, sustained the impetus in the market’s central C-segment, with year-on-year sales rising by 32.3 per cent, with growth divided equally between private retail and business fleet customers.

Larger, more efficient and more user-friendly than ever before, the fourth generation RAV4 has notched up a 66.9 per cent sales increase in the first three quarters of the year, with fleet sales more than doubling thanks to the introduction of a 2-litre D-4D engine with stop and start technology, emitting 127g/km of CO₂.

Outside the family car market, Aygo continues to dazzle: eight years on from its launch, Toyota’s city car is still embarrassing its newer competitors, achieving a 5.6 per cent increase in its sales figures in the year to date.

Overall figures for Toyota in September were 16,915 units sold, up 6.6 per cent on the same month in 2012. In the year up to 30 September, Toyota has sold 72,836, an increase of 5.7 per cent on the same period last year.

ENDS