Toyota's Global Hybrid Sales Top 1M
06-07-07, 09:42 AM
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Toyota's Global Hybrid Sales Top 1M
Toyota's Global Hybrid Sales Top 1M
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=3253597
TOKYO (AP) — A decade after the first Prius went on sale, Toyota's global sales of hybrid vehicles have hit a landmark 1 million, underlining the Japanese automaker's lead in "green" technology that has changed the face of the auto industry.
Toyota Motor Corp.'s cumulative sales of gas-and-electric-powered vehicles totaled 1.047 million as of the end of May. Of those, nearly 345,000 hybrids were sold in Japan, while 702,000 were sold abroad, the company said in a statement Thursday.
Sales of Toyota hybrids have climbed from just 18,000 in 1998 to 312,500 last year, the company said.
Demand for hybrids, which deliver superior mileage by switching between a gasoline engine and electric motor, has soared amid higher fuel prices and greater consumer concern about pollution and global warming.
Toyota's dominance in the category has driven Detroit's automakers to follow with their own versions and to rely less on lower-mileage SUVs as the main engine for their profits.
"Toyota is clearly ahead of the pack in hybrids," said Tsuyoshi Mochimaru, auto analyst with Deutsche Securities in Tokyo.
The Prius is the overwhelming leader in the category, with a total of 757,600 units sold since its 1997 introduction in Japan. Toyota began selling the Prius in North America, Europe and other places in 2000. Last year, the model made up more than 40 percent of hybrid sales in the U.S.
The Prius, which gets 55 miles a gallon on combined city and highway driving conditions, has been enormously popular as a mid-size sedan, a best-selling vehicle category.
Although most automakers are working on hybrids, Toyota has the advantage of almost 10 years of experience in selling the technology, and in using feedback from drivers to make improvements, rather than relying on information from labs.
Toyota has placed a large emphasis on hybrid technology: It offers several other hybrid models, including the hybrid Camry and hybrid Lexus models.
"Hybrids will play a key role throughout our lineup," Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said. "That means all vehicle categories."
The company also started domestic sales of its most expensive hybrid, the 15 million yen — or about $124,000 at current exchange rates — Lexus LS 600h. It will be exported over the summer, according to Toyota.
Not all hybrids sell well. Earlier this week, Honda Motor Co. said it will discontinue the hybrid version of its Accord sedans, which sold poorly because it didn't fit the customer demand profile of the smallest, least expensive hybrids with the highest gas mileage.
Hybrid sport-utility vehicles have struggled in sales compared to the Prius, partly because an SUV doesn't have a green image to start with, analysts say.
Sales of Toyota's RX400h hybrid SUV, sold as the Harrier in Japan, have reached 85,000 worldwide since it was introduced in 2005. Another hybrid SUV, the Highlander, or Kluger in Japan, has sold 67,000 over the same period.
The Prius, by contrast, has sold 478,800 units since the start of 2005.
Among American automakers, Ford Motor Co. has the hybrid Escape sport-utility vehicle and General Motors Corp. sells the hybrid Saturn Vue Green Line sport-utility vehicle and hybrid trucks.
GM has also promised four new hybrids this year, the two-mode gas-electric systems in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon large sport utility vehicles, and hybrid systems for the Saturn Aura and new Chevrolet Malibu sedans.
Yasuaki Iwamoto, auto analyst with Okasan Securities Co., said that rivals will have a hard time catching up to Toyota in hybrids — and that the technology will play a key role in defining Toyota in the years ahead.
"Ecological features are going to be very important for building Toyota's brand image amid intensifying competition, and Toyota will continue to push the hybrid to the forefront," Iwamoto said.
Toyota has repeatedly stressed that the hybrid holds more potential than the diesel or other innovations.
Iwamoto said it remains unclear what will be the dominant ecological technology in 20 years time, however.
"No one knows what will become the standard, or even if there are going to be several types of technology that will become the standard," he said.
The next innovation in hybrids is expected to come from a new type of battery, called the lithium-ion battery, which will be smaller and lighter than the nickel-metal hydride batteries Toyota now uses for its hybrids.
A major breakthrough is needed to switch to lithium-ion batteries, now widely used in laptops, to make them power cars.
Mitsuo Kino****a, a senior Toyota executive, recently denied Japanese media reports that Toyota had given up on having a lithium-ion battery system for the next-generation Prius.
"We're still working on it," he told reporters.
Toyota Motor Corp.'s cumulative sales of gas-and-electric-powered vehicles totaled 1.047 million as of the end of May. Of those, nearly 345,000 hybrids were sold in Japan, while 702,000 were sold abroad, the company said in a statement Thursday.
Sales of Toyota hybrids have climbed from just 18,000 in 1998 to 312,500 last year, the company said.
Demand for hybrids, which deliver superior mileage by switching between a gasoline engine and electric motor, has soared amid higher fuel prices and greater consumer concern about pollution and global warming.
Toyota's dominance in the category has driven Detroit's automakers to follow with their own versions and to rely less on lower-mileage SUVs as the main engine for their profits.
"Toyota is clearly ahead of the pack in hybrids," said Tsuyoshi Mochimaru, auto analyst with Deutsche Securities in Tokyo.
The Prius is the overwhelming leader in the category, with a total of 757,600 units sold since its 1997 introduction in Japan. Toyota began selling the Prius in North America, Europe and other places in 2000. Last year, the model made up more than 40 percent of hybrid sales in the U.S.
The Prius, which gets 55 miles a gallon on combined city and highway driving conditions, has been enormously popular as a mid-size sedan, a best-selling vehicle category.
Although most automakers are working on hybrids, Toyota has the advantage of almost 10 years of experience in selling the technology, and in using feedback from drivers to make improvements, rather than relying on information from labs.
Toyota has placed a large emphasis on hybrid technology: It offers several other hybrid models, including the hybrid Camry and hybrid Lexus models.
"Hybrids will play a key role throughout our lineup," Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said. "That means all vehicle categories."
The company also started domestic sales of its most expensive hybrid, the 15 million yen — or about $124,000 at current exchange rates — Lexus LS 600h. It will be exported over the summer, according to Toyota.
Not all hybrids sell well. Earlier this week, Honda Motor Co. said it will discontinue the hybrid version of its Accord sedans, which sold poorly because it didn't fit the customer demand profile of the smallest, least expensive hybrids with the highest gas mileage.
Hybrid sport-utility vehicles have struggled in sales compared to the Prius, partly because an SUV doesn't have a green image to start with, analysts say.
Sales of Toyota's RX400h hybrid SUV, sold as the Harrier in Japan, have reached 85,000 worldwide since it was introduced in 2005. Another hybrid SUV, the Highlander, or Kluger in Japan, has sold 67,000 over the same period.
The Prius, by contrast, has sold 478,800 units since the start of 2005.
Among American automakers, Ford Motor Co. has the hybrid Escape sport-utility vehicle and General Motors Corp. sells the hybrid Saturn Vue Green Line sport-utility vehicle and hybrid trucks.
GM has also promised four new hybrids this year, the two-mode gas-electric systems in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon large sport utility vehicles, and hybrid systems for the Saturn Aura and new Chevrolet Malibu sedans.
Yasuaki Iwamoto, auto analyst with Okasan Securities Co., said that rivals will have a hard time catching up to Toyota in hybrids — and that the technology will play a key role in defining Toyota in the years ahead.
"Ecological features are going to be very important for building Toyota's brand image amid intensifying competition, and Toyota will continue to push the hybrid to the forefront," Iwamoto said.
Toyota has repeatedly stressed that the hybrid holds more potential than the diesel or other innovations.
Iwamoto said it remains unclear what will be the dominant ecological technology in 20 years time, however.
"No one knows what will become the standard, or even if there are going to be several types of technology that will become the standard," he said.
The next innovation in hybrids is expected to come from a new type of battery, called the lithium-ion battery, which will be smaller and lighter than the nickel-metal hydride batteries Toyota now uses for its hybrids.
A major breakthrough is needed to switch to lithium-ion batteries, now widely used in laptops, to make them power cars.
Mitsuo Kino****a, a senior Toyota executive, recently denied Japanese media reports that Toyota had given up on having a lithium-ion battery system for the next-generation Prius.
"We're still working on it," he told reporters.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=3253597
06-07-07, 10:52 AM
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That's impressive, especially when you consider that just 5 or 6 years ago, the hybrid's future was still very much uncertain.
I can't wait until we have to start disposing of all those batteries, though...
Maybe we can just dump them in the ocean. Or bury them in one of the melting polar ice caps. 
I can't wait until we have to start disposing of all those batteries, though...
Maybe we can just dump them in the ocean. Or bury them in one of the melting polar ice caps.
06-07-07, 11:03 AM
#5
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Toyota & Honda said the hybrid batteries can be fully recycled & they will pose no toxic hazzards : http://www.hybridcars.com/faq.html#battery
.
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06-07-07, 01:08 PM
#6
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Recycling is such a good thing. I recycle my aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, newspapers, motor oil, cardboard, copper, steal and now I can recycle batteries from hybrid cars...
06-07-07, 03:08 PM
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Toyota & Honda said the hybrid batteries can be fully recycled & they will pose no toxic hazzards : http://www.hybridcars.com/faq.html#battery
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06-07-07, 06:38 PM
#8
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June 7, 2007 - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced the one-millionth hybrid sale today by parent company, Toyota Motor Corporation. Of the one million hybrid sales worldwide, more than half have been sold in the United States -- 541,210 units from 2000 through April 2007.
"The cost benefit of hybrids is becoming more apparent with climbing gas prices," said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president. "We anticipate combined sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrids of a quarter million units in the U.S. during calendar year 2007."
Despite earlier concerns that decreased tax credits from the IRS would dampen hybrid demand, Toyota continues to post record hybrid sales. Calendar-year-to-date hybrid sales for TMS totaled 119,154 units, an increase of 75 percent over the same period last year.
In May, TMS posted sales of 36,101 hybrid vehicles, up 102 percent over last May. Toyota Division posted sales of 34,174 hybrids, up 121 percent over the same period last year. Lexus Division posted sales of 1,927 hybrids.
As consumers begin the summer driving season, the broad benefits of hybrid technology reveal discernible cost-savings with strong sales of Toyota Camry Hybrid and Toyota Prius. When comparing real-world hybrid transaction prices to non-hybrid prices and taking into account current rising fuel prices, Toyota hybrids show their remarkable value as estimated in the chart below.
HYBRID PREMIUM PAYBACK
(National Average Gas Prices)
Hybrid payback (years)
* TMV based on Edmunds.com 0.8
** Based on 15,000 miles/year
Aside from the gas-savings to hybrid owners, the significant reduction in tailpipe emissions, as well as the reduction in foreign oil dependence, has been a factor among many buyers who say they are concerned about the environment. According to a recent study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), hybrid vehicles have saved close to 215 million gallons, or 5.1 million barrels, of fuel in the U.S. since their introduction in 1999. As the market share leader in the hybrid segment, Toyota accounted for 66 percent of all hybrids sold in America during that period.
Additionally, Toyota has calculated that global sales of hybrid vehicles have greatly contributed to reductions in CO2 emissions. Since the introduction of Toyota's first hybrid in 1997, approximately 3.5 million fewer tons of CO2 were emitted when comparing emissions from gas-powered vehicles to hybrids of the same class.
Also significant to buyers who may base their next purchase on environmental priorities are the results of recent lifecycle assessment studies of hybrid vehicles. A variety of studies, including one from the Argonne National Laboratory, have concluded that the total lifetime energy use of hybrid vehicles---from development, through production, through on-highway use, to end-of-life recycling and landfill---is significantly lower than conventional vehicles.
Prius was launched in the Japan domestic market in 1997, and in the U.S. market as a 2001-model in 2000. In 2005, the Highlander Hybrid SUV debuted as a model year 2006. For the first time, the Toyota Camry added a hybrid option for model year 2007.
In 2005 Lexus entered the hybrid fold with the launch of the world's first luxury hybrid, the RX 400h luxury sport utility vehicle. Powered by its Lexus Hybrid Drive system, the RX 400h is equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 and two electric motor generators, delivering an impressive 268 total system horsepower while rated an EPA estimate of 32 miles-per-gallon during city driving. The new hybrid luxury SUV has proved popular with environmentally-conscious luxury buyers as the RX 400h has made up nearly 20 percent of all RX sales since it launched.
Lexus continued its venture into hybrids in 2006 with the launch of the GS 450h performance luxury sedan. The GS450h gave further proof that hybrid technology could be used in many different types of vehicles.
The Lexus commitment to hybrid technology continues with the launch of the all-new 2008 LS 600h L premium luxury hybrid sedan when it goes on sale this summer.
Credit: Toyota Motor Sales, USA
"The cost benefit of hybrids is becoming more apparent with climbing gas prices," said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president. "We anticipate combined sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrids of a quarter million units in the U.S. during calendar year 2007."
Despite earlier concerns that decreased tax credits from the IRS would dampen hybrid demand, Toyota continues to post record hybrid sales. Calendar-year-to-date hybrid sales for TMS totaled 119,154 units, an increase of 75 percent over the same period last year.
In May, TMS posted sales of 36,101 hybrid vehicles, up 102 percent over last May. Toyota Division posted sales of 34,174 hybrids, up 121 percent over the same period last year. Lexus Division posted sales of 1,927 hybrids.
As consumers begin the summer driving season, the broad benefits of hybrid technology reveal discernible cost-savings with strong sales of Toyota Camry Hybrid and Toyota Prius. When comparing real-world hybrid transaction prices to non-hybrid prices and taking into account current rising fuel prices, Toyota hybrids show their remarkable value as estimated in the chart below.
HYBRID PREMIUM PAYBACK
(National Average Gas Prices)
Code:
Prius Camry LE (4-cyl) Hybrid Premium True Market Value* $23,835 $22,598 $450 Potential Tax Credit (as of 5/07) $787 NA $23,048 $22,598 Annual gas cost ($3.00/gal) ** $978 $1,875 Annual fuel savings Based on 2008 EPA ratings $897 Hybrid payback (years) 0.5 Camry Hybrid Camry XLE (4-cyl) Hybrid Premium True Market Value* $25,951 $24,881 $420 Potential Tax Credit (as of 5/07) $650 NA $25,301 $24,881 Annual gas cost ($3.00/gal)** $1,323 $1,875 Annual fuel savings Based on 2008 EPA ratings $552 Hybrid payback (years) * TMV based on Edmunds.com 0.8 ** Based on 15,000 miles/year
* TMV based on Edmunds.com 0.8
** Based on 15,000 miles/year
Aside from the gas-savings to hybrid owners, the significant reduction in tailpipe emissions, as well as the reduction in foreign oil dependence, has been a factor among many buyers who say they are concerned about the environment. According to a recent study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), hybrid vehicles have saved close to 215 million gallons, or 5.1 million barrels, of fuel in the U.S. since their introduction in 1999. As the market share leader in the hybrid segment, Toyota accounted for 66 percent of all hybrids sold in America during that period.
Additionally, Toyota has calculated that global sales of hybrid vehicles have greatly contributed to reductions in CO2 emissions. Since the introduction of Toyota's first hybrid in 1997, approximately 3.5 million fewer tons of CO2 were emitted when comparing emissions from gas-powered vehicles to hybrids of the same class.
Also significant to buyers who may base their next purchase on environmental priorities are the results of recent lifecycle assessment studies of hybrid vehicles. A variety of studies, including one from the Argonne National Laboratory, have concluded that the total lifetime energy use of hybrid vehicles---from development, through production, through on-highway use, to end-of-life recycling and landfill---is significantly lower than conventional vehicles.
Prius was launched in the Japan domestic market in 1997, and in the U.S. market as a 2001-model in 2000. In 2005, the Highlander Hybrid SUV debuted as a model year 2006. For the first time, the Toyota Camry added a hybrid option for model year 2007.
In 2005 Lexus entered the hybrid fold with the launch of the world's first luxury hybrid, the RX 400h luxury sport utility vehicle. Powered by its Lexus Hybrid Drive system, the RX 400h is equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 and two electric motor generators, delivering an impressive 268 total system horsepower while rated an EPA estimate of 32 miles-per-gallon during city driving. The new hybrid luxury SUV has proved popular with environmentally-conscious luxury buyers as the RX 400h has made up nearly 20 percent of all RX sales since it launched.
Lexus continued its venture into hybrids in 2006 with the launch of the GS 450h performance luxury sedan. The GS450h gave further proof that hybrid technology could be used in many different types of vehicles.
The Lexus commitment to hybrid technology continues with the launch of the all-new 2008 LS 600h L premium luxury hybrid sedan when it goes on sale this summer.
Credit: Toyota Motor Sales, USA
06-07-07, 11:58 PM
#9
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That's impressive, especially when you consider that just 5 or 6 years ago, the hybrid's future was still very much uncertain.
I can't wait until we have to start disposing of all those batteries, though... Maybe we can just dump them in the ocean. Or bury them in one of the melting polar ice caps.
I can't wait until we have to start disposing of all those batteries, though...
Maybe we can just dump them in the ocean. Or bury them in one of the melting polar ice caps. Their car has one
Their camera uses them
Other electronics they have use them
LOL
Congrats to Toyota, they have proved its not a fad.
06-08-07, 05:27 AM
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
So how do you feel about a battery being in EVERY car, since cars were damn near made? Its funny to see people moan about batteries in a hybrid when:
Their car has one
Their camera uses them
Other electronics they have use them
Their car has one
Their camera uses them
Other electronics they have use them
My car already weighs 4000 pounds, why not make it weigh 6000 pounds? Why stop there?
I already had 3 Big Macs for dinner. Why not have another?
I don't see how someone could make a statement like that, using the "well, I'm already doing "A", so why not do "A x 10", and then expect people to take them seriously. Batteries don't just magically appear. Manufacturers have to expend a lot of energy and resources to produce them. And the more batteries we make, the more resources and energy we need to expend, and more infrastructure we need to put in place in order to deliver, install, maintain, and recycle those batteries.
You have to look at the whole picture, not just what you see in front of your nose.
06-08-07, 07:21 AM
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Yeah, because 1) you can be 100% sure that everybody is going to recycle their batteries when they die (when's the last time you recycled your AA's?), and 2) no energy or resources will be expended to recycle them, and no pollution will be created as a result. When batteries die, it's not like they magically reincarnate as a new battery.
I already had 1 drink at the bar, so I might as well have 5 more. And then drive home.
My car already weighs 4000 pounds, why not make it weigh 6000 pounds? Why stop there?
I already had 3 Big Macs for dinner. Why not have another?
I don't see how someone could make a statement like that, using the "well, I'm already doing "A", so why not do "A x 10", and then expect people to take them seriously. Batteries don't just magically appear. Manufacturers have to expend a lot of energy and resources to produce them. And the more batteries we make, the more resources and energy we need to expend, and more infrastructure we need to put in place in order to deliver, install, maintain, and recycle those batteries.
You have to look at the whole picture, not just what you see in front of your nose.
I already had 1 drink at the bar, so I might as well have 5 more. And then drive home.
My car already weighs 4000 pounds, why not make it weigh 6000 pounds? Why stop there?
I already had 3 Big Macs for dinner. Why not have another?
I don't see how someone could make a statement like that, using the "well, I'm already doing "A", so why not do "A x 10", and then expect people to take them seriously. Batteries don't just magically appear. Manufacturers have to expend a lot of energy and resources to produce them. And the more batteries we make, the more resources and energy we need to expend, and more infrastructure we need to put in place in order to deliver, install, maintain, and recycle those batteries.
You have to look at the whole picture, not just what you see in front of your nose.
So its not like the batteries will be seen sitting in a dump, because if so that is $200 in pocket for calling a number
06-08-07, 07:38 AM
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Why would the batteries be recycled? Because for one who ever is going to either get it changed out would have to have someone that knows about hybrids, and would then take care of it like the dealer, and and anyone who scraps the car like in a accident would sure like to get that $200 dollars from Toyota for calling them to take that battery
So its not like the batteries will be seen sitting in a dump, because if so that is $200 in pocket for calling a number
So its not like the batteries will be seen sitting in a dump, because if so that is $200 in pocket for calling a number
06-09-07, 09:45 AM
#13
Prius owners will not be replacing their batteries by themselves - it will be done by the service shop that knows about it
I bet all of those batteries would be recycled if you got $250 for doing so
06-09-07, 01:59 PM
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I would love to see a junk yard with them piled up laying around, because I would come up with some nice pocket change for each one
06-09-07, 03:31 PM
#15
But how do you control say leaking oil or antifreeze from an old car whos driver doesn't give two craps about the enviroinment? How do you control a redneck changing oil in his good old bronco, and dumping it in his neighbors backyard? And even when you go for the oil change, the used oil needs to be disposed somewhere, so that too posesses a hazard to the enviroinment.
I understand that hybrid vehicles still have gasoline engines, and still require oil, antifreeze, and other fluids, however consider this. First of all, hybrid vehicles mostly appeal to the more enviroinmentaly concious people, so they aren't as likely to dumb their used battery in a wallmart parking lot, or dump their used oil in a backyard. Also, these hybrid vehicles are the first step towards fully electric cars, which will produce no emissions, will require no oil, no antifreeze, and other harmful fluids, with the exception perhaps for the brake fluid. So even if a battery from a hybrid vehicle ends up somewhere in a wallmart parking lot, its nothing compared to hundreds of gallons of used oil and god knows how much emissions.
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