Toyota Hybrid Sales Top 500,000 Units Worldwide

Cumulative global sales of hybrid vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Corp. exceeded 500,000 units by the end of October 2005, the world's No. 2 automaker announced on November 25, 2005.

Toyota released the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Prius, in Japan in 1997, and started marketing it in North America, Europe and other areas in 2000. The company also introduced the hybrid engine into commercial vehicles, such as the Dyna, in 2001.

Aiming to simultaneously achieve environmental performance and power, Toyota installed a newly developed hybrid system in the second generation Prius in 2003. In 2005, it expanded the use of this hybrid system to sport utility vehicles (SUVs), which need more power.

Applying the second generation hybrid system exclusively to rear-wheel-drive passenger vehicles, Toyota plans to launch the Lexus GS450h in spring 2006. The company will continue to bolster its hybrid lineup and seek wider application of the technology.

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/05/1125_2.html

Posted: 2006/04/20 11:09:42 AM
Japanese version