SEOUL, KOREA - The global sales of Toyota’s hybrid vehicles passed the 6-million mark, in nine months after passing the 5-million level last year. According to Toyota Korea on January 16, Toyota’s cumulative sales of hybrid vehicles exceeded 6 million as of the end of last year.
Since the world’s first commercial hybrid model Prius was released in December 1997, Toyota achieved the 1-million mark in global sales in 2007.
Thereafter, as the sales of hybrid vehicles picked up, it passed the 2-million barrier in August 2009, 3 million in February 2011, 4 million in April 2012, 5 million in March 2013, and 6 million in late 2013.
Toyota is now selling 17 hybrid models under Toyota brand, seven models under Lexus brand, and one plug-in hybrid model. The best-selling model is Prius which was sold more than 3.16 million units until last year.
Toyota expects its cumulative hybrid vehicle sales to surpass 10 million within the next three years.