Toyota/Lexus Hybrids Are Getting More Popular, 3-Million Units Sold Globally So Far

The population of hybrids is on the rise globally, and Toyota/Lexus seems to be leading the pack. While it might not be the only company that manufactures and sells hybrids, their models are by far the most popular.

According to Toyota/Lexus, they have sold just over 3.03-million hybrid vehicles as of February 28, 2011. Since nearly all Toyota and Lexus vehicles have a hybrid version, it’s not hard to see why, although the Prius is the stand-alone segment leader.

Now it seems that the number of hybrids will grow even further, with the introduction of a new version of the Prius coming later this year, along with the new Lexus CT200h.

So have you caught the hybrid bug yet? Let us know in the comments below.

Press release after the jump:

Worldwide Sales of TMC Hybrids Top 3 Million Units

In the face of rising fuel prices, with the launch of the all-new 2011 Lexus CT 200h and the impending introduction of the Toyota Prius family of vehicles, interest in Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles is on the rise, just as Toyota surpasses an important global sales milestone.

Today, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced global cumulative sales of its hybrid vehicles have topped the 3-million mark, with more than 3.03 million units¹ sold worldwide as of February 28, 2011.

In 1997 in Japan, TMC launched the “Coaster Hybrid EV” in August and launched the “Prius”—the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle—in December.  Sales of the Prius began in North America, Europe and elsewhere in 2000.  Next came the second-generation Prius in 2003 and the expanded use of TMC’s hybrid system on such vehicles as minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and hatchbacks.  The third-generation Prius went on sale in May 2009, and the global cumulative sales of TMC’s hybrid vehicles topped 2 million by the end of August the same year (42,289 of those sold in Canada).

This year, TMC continued to expand its hybrid vehicle lineup, launching the Lexus “CT 200h”—the first dedicated hybrid model in the premium-compact segment—in January.  TMC currently sells 16 hybrid vehicle models in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world, including three commercial vehicle models in Japan.  TMC plans to introduce 10 new-model hybrid vehicles by the end of 2012, including six newly launched vehicles and 4 vehicles that have been redesigned.  TMC is committed to augmenting this lineup even further and increasing the number of countries and regions in which it sells hybrid vehicles.

As of February 28, 2011, TMC calculates that TMC hybrid vehicles², since 1997, have led to approximately 18 million fewer tons³ of CO2 emissions—considered to be a cause of climate change—than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance.

Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority and based on its belief that environment-considerate vehicles contribute only through their widespread use, TMC has endeavored to achieve the widespread use of hybrid vehicles.  With global cumulative sales of its hybrid vehicles passing the 3-million mark, TMC believes that such vehicles are starting to enter the mainstream.

TMC intends to continue to dedicate itself—in all directions—to developing and popularizing other environment-considerate cars in addition to gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles.  Having positioned hybrid technologies—consisting of the component technologies necessary for development of various environment-considerate cars—as key technologies, TMC plans to continue working to further raise performance, reduce costs, and expand its product lineup to create vehicles that are popular with consumers.