| Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has
announced that cumulative European sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles
have topped the 100,000 mark.
Since hybrids were first launched in Europe in 2000, a total of 101,235
vehicles had been sold by the end of July. Toyota says there has been
a rapid acceleration in the uptake of hybrid vehicles, with more than
50 per cent of its cumulative European sales achieved in the last 13 months.
The Prius – the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle
– is Toyota’s best selling hybrid, with over 73,000 vehicles
sold in Europe since 2000. Cumulative sales of Lexus hybrid vehicles have
now exceeded 27,000 units in Europe, incorporating the launch of the LS
600h in June.
In 2007, Toyota expects its annual hybrid sales to reach 44,500 units,
as part of an overall sales target for Toyota and Lexus vehicles of 1.22
million units.
“These results demonstrate a dramatic shift among European customers
towards cleaner vehicles which offer greater fuel efficiency and a comfortable
and powerful drive,” said Thierry Dombreval, executive vice-president
of Toyota Motor Europe.
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