Lexus and Toyota are Ruling the Hybrid World
Lexus and Toyota celebrate 15 million hybrid vehicles sold since the Prius debuted in 1997.
Astounding Numbers
Though it's hard to imagine now, the Toyota Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, has been around since 1997. That car was quite revolutionary when it debuted all those years ago, but few knew what it would ultimately lead to. Since that fateful launch, Toyota and Lexus have combined to sell an incredible 15 million hybrid vehicles since then. And the numbers get even more amazing the more you dive into them.
Photos: Lexus
Escalating Quickly
It wasn't until August of 2009 that Toyota reached the two million hybrids sold mark. But things escalated quickly from there, and by March 2013 they had moved five million of them. By 2017, Toyota and Lexus doubled that number, and it only took three more years to add another five million to the total.
Photos: Lexus
Constant Refinement
Interestingly, Toyota still uses the same core technology today that it birthed in the Prius all those years ago. They've merely refined and improved the system over the years, making it more efficient and more powerful. Toyota and Lexus hybrids have become more and more popular as a result, particularly in specific regions of the world.
Photos: Lexus
Europe Loves Hybrids
Last year, 52% of Toyota and Lexus sales in Europe went to hybrids, with an even higher 63% in Western Europe. Over 2.8-million of the 15 million hybrids sold have gone to that part of the world, too. Of course, you can thank Europe's tight emissions standards and high fuel costs for that.
Photos: Lexus
Meeting the Target
"It is thanks to our hybrid sales that Toyota is well on its way to meeting the 95g/km target set by the EU for 2020 and 2021 in Europe, where CO2 regulations are the toughest in the world," said Matt Harrison, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Europe. "In addition, our full hybrids are also incredibly effective at running without emissions for the majority of the time in cities."
Photos: Lexus
Tremendous Success
This tremendous success is a big part of the reason why Toyota and Lexus continue to focus on hybrids while also developing electric vehicles. Other automakers are currently focusing on the latter, but there certainly appears to be a demand for hybrids now, and that doesn't figure to change so long as charging networks remain a bit spotty.
Photos: Lexus
Coming Soon
Thus, don't expect hybrids to disappear any time soon. Toyota and Lexus have many millions more to sell, and there are quite a few new products in the pipeline. Together with EVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the automaker plans to have 40 new or updated electrified vehicles on the road by 2025. And you can bet that at least a few of them will be hybrids.
Photos: Lexus
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