The term hybrid vehicle is almost always synonymous with the Toyota Prius. This is no coincidence, as the Toyota hybrid is the first mass-produced vehicle of its kind, first seeing daylight in 1997. Since then, it has gone on to spawn not just several variants but a whole lot more siblings as well.
We refer to the more than 10 million Toyota hybrid vehicles sold since the Japanese carmaker first rolled out the gas-electric vehicles some 20 years ago. Since introducing the Toyota Coaster hybrid in August of 1997, and the Prius in December of that year, the world has fallen in love with this environment-friendly form of vehicle. To date, Toyota reports some 10.05 million hybrids have been sold worldwide.
And we’re not simply talking about Prii here. Besides the hybrid hatchback, equipped with the Toyota Hybrid System (THS), the company has gone on to produce around 34 different hybrid models. These range from gasoline-electric versions of its various models like the Camry, Lexus NX, and even the Lexus LS full-size sedan. It has also manufactured hybrid models from the ground up, like the Lexus CT, among others.
So what makes all this special, you ask? Beyond the monumental sales figure, Toyota hybrid sales simply show that people are becoming more aware of the importance of caring for our planet. And one of the ways they do so is by purchasing clean burning vehicles like the Prius and other Toyota hybrids.
While Toyota has undoubtedly shown its staying power in the area of environment-friendly motoring, it is not about to rest on its laurels just yet. The fourth-generation Prius, for instance, isn’t just green-minded; it also promises a fun drive. Thanks to the Toyota New Global Architecture, the car sits lower, is more balanced, and is more responsive. Of course, fuel efficiency and lower emissions are still its strong selling points, thanks in no small part to the THS II that was unveiled in 2003.
And yes, the success of the Prius and other Toyota hybrids has prompted the auto industry to invent a segment that’s kind to Mother Earth. Yes, hybrids are truly here to stay. And Toyota will make sure of that.
