Toyota passes the six million mark for hybrid sales, all in just 16 years.

The progress of Toyota’s hybrid power technology has reached another landmark with cumulative global sales of Toyota hybrid vehicles reaching 6.072 million units at the end of December. Notably the latest million-milestone has been reached in the fastest time yet, just nine months since the figure moved past five million.

Toyota recognises that its cleaner, efficient technologies can only truly make a positive impact if they are widely used, hence its on-going efforts to encourage the mass-market take-up of its hybrid vehicles.

As of this month, Toyota Motor Corporation sells 24 hybrid passenger car models and one plug-in hybrid in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world. In the UK, home to production of the hybrid versions of Auris and Auris Touring Sports, the range extends to 10 Toyota and Lexus hybrids, plus Prius Plug-in.

Within the next two years, Toyota will launch 15 new hybrids. It will continue to develop its product range and the number of markets where its hybrid models are available.

Toyota calculates that, as of 31 December 2013, Toyota hybrid vehicles have reduced the amount of CO2 entering the atmosphere – believed to be a cause of global warming – by approximately 41 million tonnes, compared to the impact the same number of equivalent petrol-powered vehicles would have. On the same basis, it also estimates its hybrids have saved around 15,000 million litres of petrol.

Toyota entered hybrid vehicle production in August 1997 with the launch in Japan of the Coast Hybrid EV bus, followed in December by the first generation Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car. Since then Toyota’s hybrids have enjoyed increasing support from customers around the world.

Toyota’s hybrid system is designed as a core technology that can be used in different forms to create environmentally efficient vehicles for different customer requirements. The company will continue to work to raise performance, reduce costs and expand its product line-up – including the introduction of environmentally efficient non-hybrid vehicles.

Toyota hybrid vehicle sales – all brands

(1 = 1,000 units)

Cumulative sales of Toyota hybrid passenger vehicles

(1 = 1,000 units) * Including Prius Plug-in; ** including Auris Hybrid Touring Sports.

USA - Toyota has brilliant October, with increased sales.

All-new Tundra up almost 23 percent; All-new Avalon posts triple-digit gains for eighth month in a row

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported October 2013 sales results of 168,976 units, an increase of 4.8 percent over October 2012 on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. On a raw-volume basis, unadjusted for 27 selling days in October 2013 versus 26 selling days in October 2012, TMS sales increased 8.8 percent from the year-ago month.

Toyota Division posted October 2013 sales of 146,257 units, up 4 percent year-over-year on a DSR basis.   Volume-wise, Toyota division sales increased 8 percent over October 2012.

“Consumers showed resiliency in October with steady auto sales despite headwinds caused by the government shutdown,” said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president and general manager.  “The growth in the auto industry continues to play a leading role in the economic recovery, and Toyota is on track for a strong close to the year.”

Lexus reported October sales of 22,719 units, a 10.2 percent increase on a DSR basis and a 14.5 percent increase on a raw volume basis, both year-over-year.

"Industry growth is being driven by new products, and we have two of the hottest new models on the market today - the new IS and GX SUV," said Jeff Bracken, Lexus group vice president and general manager.  "And as we move into November and December, traditionally two excellent months for Lexus, we're poised to close out the year with strong sales."

Other Highlights:

• All-new Corolla posts sales of 23,637 units
• All-new Avalon posts triple-digit gains for eighth month in a row
• Camry posts sales of almost 30,000 units
• TMS hybrids retain more than half of the market with sales of nearly 23,800 units
• Prius family records sales of 15,623 units
• All-new RAV4 increases 60.8 percent with a best-ever October
• Sienna up 10.1 percent with sales of more than 8,500 units
• Toyota division pickups post sales of more than 22,000 units
• All-new Tundra up almost 23 percent
• All-new Lexus IS up more than 68 percent
• Lexus LS up more than 26 percent
• Lexus ES is volume car leader with sales of nearly 6,000 units
• Lexus RX up more than 15 percent with sales of almost 8,000 units

*Note:  Unless otherwise stated, all figures reflect unadjusted raw sales volume

50 mpg 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

Meet the 50 MPG Rated Honda Accord Hybrid

• 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is top-rated 4-door sedan with EPA fuel economy rating¹ of 50 mpg city
• Mass production² of the new hybrid begins today at Honda's manufacturing facility in Marysville, Ohio
• Model to go on sale nationwide later this year

With the first models rolling off the Marysville, Ohio assembly line today, the all-new 2014 Accord Hybrid (http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-hybrid/) will carry an EPA fuel economy¹ rating of 50 mpg in city driving, making it the new leader in gasoline fuel-economy ratings among 4-door sedans. Set to go on sale at Honda dealerships nationwide later this year, the 2014 Accord Hybrid's city fuel-economy rating is three miles per gallon higher than the closest segment competitor and its calculated driving range of 673 miles is more than 46 miles³ farther than any vehicle in its segment.
"Even before it hits showrooms this fall, the Accord Hybrid is already surpassing the competition and claiming segment leadership," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of auto operations at American Honda. "For customers looking for a 50 mpg rated 4-door sedan, there is no other choice than the 2014 Accord Hybrid."

With EPA fuel-economy ratings¹ of 50 mpg city / 45 mpg highway / 47 mpg combined, the 2014 Accord Hybrid combines the sophisticated exterior styling and spacious interior packaging of the Accord Sedan with a highly efficient two-motor hybrid system from Honda's Earth Dreams� Technology advanced powertrain series. The Accord Hybrid joins an already fuel-efficient Accord lineup that includes the EPA-rated 36 mpg highway¹ 4-cylinder Accord Sedan and the Accord Plug-in Hybrid, EPA-rated at 115 MPGe combined¹ in electric-only mode.

The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is the first Honda hybrid vehicle produced in Ohio, at the company's Marysville Auto Plant, and joins the Greensburg, Indiana-built Civic Hybrid as the second Honda hybrid model built in the U.S. Honda invested $18.8 million in a 94,000-square-foot expansion of the Marysville Auto Plant, along with the addition of 50 new full-time jobs to handle the special processes specific to the production of this advanced hybrid model.

"With more than 30 years of experience producing the Accord in Marysville, our associates have continued to advance our capabilities, and the new 50-mpg rated Accord Hybrid is a very special milestone in our history of innovation in Ohio," said Rob May, Plant Manager of the Marysville Auto Plant. "Production of this class-leading hybrid represents an important achievement by our associates as they create new value for Honda customers using advanced manufacturing skills and new, cutting-edge technologies."

Including the expansion at the Marysville Auto Plant, in the past three years Honda has invested nearly $2.7 billion in innovations to and expansion of its North American operations, with more than $1 billion spent in Ohio alone.

About Honda
Honda offers a complete lineup of cars and trucks through a network of more than 1,000 dealerships in the United States. The Accord, the Civic, the CR-V sport-utility vehicle and the Odyssey minivan were the best-selling models in their respective segments among individual car buyers for the first six months of 2013. The company operates 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, including seven auto plants. In 2012, more than 90 percent of the Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were manufactured in North America using global and domestically sourced parts. Over the past three years alone, the company has invested more than $2.7 billion in its North American manufacturing capabilities, bringing to more than $22 billion the amount Honda has invested in its North American operations.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): Hondanews.com

¹ Based on 2013 and 2014 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Actual fuel mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how the vehicle is driven and maintained, lithium-ion battery age/condition, and other factors.
² Honda cars are built using domestic and globally sourced parts.
³ Actual driving range and fuel mileage will vary depending ondriving conditions, how the vehicle is driven and maintained, lithium-ion battery age/condition, and other factors.  Range estimate determined using EPA methodology: EPA combined mpg rating x (90% x fuel tank volume).