The original Toyota Prius was launched in 2001 and it took 17 years for Toyota to sell 100,000 hybrids in Australia. Even with the locally manufactured Camry hybrid which became popular with fleets, sales trickled along. In 2018 Toyota launched the Corolla hybrid. It was followed by the RAV4 hybrid in 2019, Yaris hybrid in 2020 and Kluger hybrid in 2021. With the right product, they sold the next 100,000 hybrids in three years.
A total of 210,817 Toyota HEVs have been sold in this country to the end of June 2021, led by Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Prius. Over the journey, Camry has proven Australia’s most popular HEV with 75,998 sales, followed by the RAV4 (48,632), Corolla (40,143) and Prius (20,778).
So far this year, Toyota is on track to eclipse its annual sales record of 54,335 hybrid electric vehicles, achieved last year. To the end of June, Toyota has sold 34,036 HEVs – a total that accounts for more than 85 per cent of all electrified models sold in Australia.
The total represents 28.6 per cent of Toyota’s overall sales in 2021. Leading the way in 2021 is the RAV4 with 14,821 HEV sales, or 72.8 per cent of total RAV4 demand.
The RAV4 Hybrid made history in August 2020 when 4,405 units were sold for in that month, making it the first HEV to top Australia’s monthly national sales charts.
Buyers of the Corolla hatch and sedan have also favoured HEVs with 7,906 cars sold in 2021, representing 57.2 per cent of the model’s total volume. The hybrid nameplate is even more popular among Camry sedan buyers at 79.5 per cent (4,979) and Yaris Cross at 61.4 per cent (2,588).
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the rapidly growing popularity of hybrid electric vehicles supported the company’s commitment to expanding its range.
“Toyota hybrid electric variants have become a mainstay on Australian roads. Our combination of HEV technologies deliver performance, with great fuel economy and low emissions, that is resonating with buyers more than ever,” Mr Hanley said.
“Being both affordable and practical, we see Toyota hybrid electric vehicles as an ideal powertrain choice for consumers looking to save money at the fuel pump while reducing their environmental impact,” he said.
“With the arrival of the all-new Kluger hybrid electric SUV last month, we look forward to the next chapter of Toyota’s hybrid journey in Australia.”
TOYOTA HYBRID SALES IN AUSTRALIA (To June 30, 2021)
| Camry | 75,998 |
| RAV4 | 48,632 |
| Corolla | 40,143 |
| Prius | 20,778 |
| Prius c | 9,758 |
| C-HR | 5,079 |
| Prius v | 5,255 |
| Yaris Cross | 3,445 |
| Kluger | 1,118 |
| Yaris | 611 |
| TOTAL | 210,817 |
