Four million hybrids between Toyota and Lexus

The Japanese brand has revealed it sold as of April 30th, four million hybrid vehicles around the world – 423,000 in Europe and 94,000 in the United Kingdom.

Photo: Toyota

Toyota has become a leader in the hybrid technology industry. Its Prius was, after all, the first ever mass-produced hybrid vehicle – launched in December 1997. There was however another hybrid produced first, the Toyota Coaster hybrid EV, a bus which came out in July 1997.

But nevertheless, the Prius first went around in Europe, then ventured in North America and other markets with the new millennium. In 2003, a new generation was baptized and prompted engineers to use the technology elsewhere: minivans, SUV, sedans and family cars.

The third-generation Prius busted sales records.

In total, Toyota sold no fewer than 19 hybrid models in close to 80 countries, and estimates that this year's hybrid sales will represent 15% of the grand total. The aim now is to further develop the technology to enhance performance while reducing costs.