Toyota leading the hybrid pack

IN response to environmental issues as a management priority and based on its belief that environmentallyfriendly vehicles can only truly have a positive impact if they are used widely, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has endeavoured to promote the mass-market adoption of hybrid vehicles.

In the South African context, Toyota says it remains the only local manufacturer to wholeheartedly promote the environmental cause by making a full range of hybrid vehicles available across the brands.

Looking at the hybrid historical timeline, Toyota launched the Coaster Hybrid EV in August 1997 in Japan, followed by the Toyota Prius – the world’s first mass produced hybrid passenger vehicle – in December 1997.

Sales of the Prius began in Europe, North America and elsewhere in 2000. The second generation Toyota Prius was launched in 2003 at which point TMC expanded the use of Toyota’s full hybrid technology to vehicles such as minivans, SUV’s, rear wheel-drive sedans and compact hatchbacks.

In particular, the third-generation Prius launched in May 2009 received strong support from customers around the world, leading to global cumulative sales of TMC’s hybrid vehicles topping three million vehicles by the end of February 2011.

In Europe and South Africa, Toyota vehicles featuring the company’s full hybrid technology include the Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris Hybrid and Toyota Yaris Hybrid.

The Yaris Hybrid was launched locally in July 2012. Towards the end of 2012, Toyota launched the Prius Plugin Hybrid in Europe.

TMC remains committed to augmenting its product line-up even further and increasing the number of countries and regions in which it sells hybrid vehicles.