Japanese automaker Toyota has announced that its hybrid vehicle global sales have passed the five million mark.
Toyota introduced its first hybrid vehicle back in 1997 and total sales, including cars wearing the Lexus badge, have surpassed five million examples as of March 31. The Japanese manufacturer claims that its five million hybrids helped the environment by reducing 34 million tonnes of CO2 and saving 12 million kiloliters of gasoline.
“We developed the first-generation Prius with the aim of making it a car for the 21st century and as an indication of Toyota’s response to environmental issues. We had to develop a hybrid system from scratch, making our task extremely difficult. Nevertheless, we took on the challenge,” said Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota Motor Corporation Vice-Chairman.
“The launch of the first-generation Prius had effects beyond our expectations, with the vehicle increasing consumer environmental awareness and raising hybrid vehicle expectations. The understanding of consumers at launch time laid the foundation for the widespread adoption, and, since then, consumers have continued to support TMC hybrid vehicles. For this, I am extremely grateful,” he added.
To celebrate the event, Toyota also released the “Thank you for choosing 5 million Toyota hybrids” music video, which you can watch below.
Toyota introduced its first hybrid vehicle back in 1997 and total sales, including cars wearing the Lexus badge, have surpassed five million examples as of March 31. The Japanese manufacturer claims that its five million hybrids helped the environment by reducing 34 million tonnes of CO2 and saving 12 million kiloliters of gasoline.
“We developed the first-generation Prius with the aim of making it a car for the 21st century and as an indication of Toyota’s response to environmental issues. We had to develop a hybrid system from scratch, making our task extremely difficult. Nevertheless, we took on the challenge,” said Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota Motor Corporation Vice-Chairman.
“The launch of the first-generation Prius had effects beyond our expectations, with the vehicle increasing consumer environmental awareness and raising hybrid vehicle expectations. The understanding of consumers at launch time laid the foundation for the widespread adoption, and, since then, consumers have continued to support TMC hybrid vehicles. For this, I am extremely grateful,” he added.
To celebrate the event, Toyota also released the “Thank you for choosing 5 million Toyota hybrids” music video, which you can watch below.