Toyota Toasts Sales Success in 2012

KEY POINTS

• Toyota sales up 12.6 per cent in 2012
• Sales of Aygo, Yaris and British built Avensis responsible for increase
• Nearly 14 per cent of Toyota sales in 2012 were hybrid vehicles
• Company car buyers drive Toyota fleet sales up by 8.2 per cent

Toyota had a year to remember in 2012. Official figures for the year show sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles for the brand at 92,318, a 12.6 per cent increase over 2011.

Five successes that made 2012 a year to remember

Aygo seven up

In the seventh year of its life, Aygo continues to be one of Britain’s best-loved city cars with a sales increase of 12.8 per cent, fighting off new competition. The car is the fifth best selling city car with sales of 16,046 units.

New Yaris a hit with supermini buyers

A new generation of the best selling Yaris arrived late in 2011, and was joined by a hybrid version in July 2012. Sales exceeded forecasts up 67.8 per cent up on 2011, 29,963 cars.

Avensis, winner on the track and in the car park

Avensis has had a great year on the track, with a first BTCC win at Brands Hatch, thanks to young driver Frank Wrathall and the Dynojet team. The car has found favour with company car drivers too. Sales to corporate customers increased by nearly eight per cent compared to 2011.

Hybrid continues to be a mainstream choice

Toyota launched five new or revised hybrid cars into the UK market in 2012, giving customers more choice than ever before. The new Yaris Hybrid supermini, Prius + seven-seat MPV and Prius Plug-in Hybrid took the market-leading technology into new sectors of the market. Consequently, nearly 14 per cent of Toyota models sold in 2012 were hybrids. On track,Toyota’s squad took three wins in the World Endurance Championship with the TS030 hybrid Le Mans-style racer.

Company car buyers flock to Toyota hybrids

Corporate buyers have switched on to Toyota Hybrids in 2012. Nearly one in five Toyota cars and commercial vehicles sold to corporate customers in 2012 featured a hybrid powertrain. The recent launch of the British-built Auris Hybrid adds to the attractiveness of the technology as a good choice for the tax conscious corporate customer.

ENDS