By Toby Price: Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan has reached a milestone after leading the way in hybrid vehicles. On Tuesday, it announced its global hybrid vehicle sales had topped four million units in April 2012. 1.5 million Toyota hybrids have been sold in the US alone. "All of us at Toyota would like to sincerely thank our customers, who have made Prius the best-selling hybrid in the industry," said Bob Carter, Group Vice President and General Manager, Toyota Division. "While we're proud of this accomplishment, we are not stopping here as hybrids will continue to be a core technology for Toyota." In August 1997, TMC launched the "Coaster Hybrid EV" in Japan. Later that same year, it launched the "Prius" – the worldf's first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle. 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 compact hatchbacks. In particular, the third-generation Prius launched in May 2009 received strong support from customers around the world, leading to global cumulative sales of TMC's hybrid vehicles topping 3 million vehicles by the end of February 2011.Since then, new models such as the "Prius α" (Prius Alpha) and the "Aqua" have been launched. TMC currently sells 18 hybrid, passenger vehicle models in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world. This year, hybrid vehicles have accounted for 15% of TMC's global vehicle sales. With the upcoming "Yaris Hybrid" scheduled for launch in Europe and the Lexus "ES 300h" for the United States, TMC is committed to augmenting its product line-up even further and increasing the number of countries and regions in which it sells hybrid vehicles. As of 20 April 30, 2012, TMC calculates that TMC hybrid vehicles, since 1997, have led to approximately 26 million fewer tons of carbon dioxide emissions than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance. American fondness for Prius The Toyota Division of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA has sold 1.5 million hybrid vehicles in the US, accounting for 65 percent of all hybrid vehicles sold in the region. Prius, the iconic hybrid brand, comprises half of all hybrids on the road in the US with sales totalling 1.2 million units through April 2012. The expansion of the Prius has been successful in the US since the Prius v was introduced in to the market followed by Prius c and Prius Plug-in during the first quarter 2012. In that time, Prius family sold 60,859 units in the US. Source: Renewable Energy Magazine
