Toyota’s hybrid milestone

Japanese car giant Toyota celebrates sales of 100,000 hybrids in the UK.

It’s hard to believe, but Toyota launched its first generation Prius on October 19, 2000. Now, 14 years on, 100,000 Toyota hybrids have been sold in the UK.

So it’s fitting that the landmark car was a British-built Auris Hybrid Touring Sports in top-of-the-range Excel trim, produced at Toyota’s Burnaston plant, near Derby. Under the bonnet, its hybrid system includes a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine manufactured by TMUK at Deeside in North Wales.

The original Toyota hybrid customers were true pioneers, adopting an advanced technology that promised low carbon emissions and, for its time, excellent official fuel economy of 61.4mpg.

Just one version of the quirkily styled four door saloon was on offer, with a £16,495 price tag.

Today there are six different Toyota hybrids, ranging from superminis and family hatchbacks to seven-seat MPVs, while global sales of Toyota hybrids are nearing seven million.

British enthusiasm for Toyota hybrids is reflected in the fact that sales of the hybrid-powered Auris are set to overtake those of petrol and diesel versions combined.