Toyota Hopes to Nearly Double Ratio of Lexus Hybrids Sold in Europe

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reports that Toyota Motor plans to double the number of hybrid Lexus models offered over the next six or seven years and spend some ¥30 billion (US$255 million) renovating existing dealerships and building new ones.

The company aims to boost the ratio of Lexus hybrids sold in Europe from 27% of total Lexus sales at present to nearly 50% by the early 2010s, targeting annual sales of 100,000 units.

Lexus sold around 24,000 units in Europe in 2005, and is projecting annual sales this year of 48,000, following the introduction of the IS sedan there. Two of the four Lexus models currently marketed there are hybrids, and two or three more will be added by the beginning of the next decade.

Toyota expects the flagship LS 600h hybrid to account for 70% of European LS sales.
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Mark - 10/3/2006 11:12:46 AM

+1 Boost

I know this has come to pass before, but what really is the demand for hybrid cars in Europe? I would think they would drive diesels instead of hybrids.

Rupert - 10/3/2006 1:37:12 PM

+1 Boost

diesels yes, over hybrids.
diesel is cheaper than petrol in most european countries.

kart1 - 10/3/2006 5:24:45 PM

+1 Boost

Fuel Cell, not diesels are the answer to fossil fuel problems. Hybrid is just the transition point till we get there.

1970toyotamarc - 10/3/2006 7:22:06 PM

+1 Boost

hybrid Lexuses are selling well in Europe

"The company aims to boost the ratio of Lexus hybrids sold in Europe from 27% of total Lexus sales at present to nearly 50% by the early 2010s"

If they can already move 27% of their models as hybrids, who's to say what they will accomplish with subsequent generations?

XYZZ - 10/4/2006 8:04:55 AM

+1 Boost

it was once calculated that if 27% of america's car fleet were hybrids, we would NOT HAVE TO IMPORT a SINGLE DROP OF OIL. all our (significantly lessened)
motor fuel needs could be satisfied with domestic production.

interesting that Lexus has achieved that same 27% rate of hybrid sales in europe.

lexusis350 - 10/3/2006 10:09:22 PM

+1 Boost

Maybe with increased hybrid popularity, Europe will cut back on diesels and switch to hybrids, like the U.S.

DarkOneForce - 10/4/2006 7:42:36 AM

+1 Boost

Yeah right, keep on dreaming. Hybrids are nowhere near
in sales compared to diesels.
~7000 units sold isn't much.

But if they want to increase sales, they should do something about maintainace and reliability issues, real or perceived.

Here's an idea, a hybrid diesel.
The french and VW are working on it.

lexusis350 - 10/4/2006 6:09:55 PM

+1 Boost

I didn't say they were comparable to diesels. I said, with time, they MIGHT overtake diesels. And don't say they won't, because there is that possibility. They're cleaner and more efficient.

XYZZ - 10/6/2006 3:10:43 AM

+1 Boost

there is a premium cost for hybrids.

there is a premium cost for diesels.

you want to combine the two for an even more costly vehicle?

i'm not saying that may not be worthwhile, but how will the market react to that?

austintyson - 10/6/2006 4:54:45 AM

+1 Boost

here is a question. Most diesels go well beyond 300,000 miles without much work needed. So how many miles will a hybrid go. And most gasoline engines start to need work after 100,000 miles. So if a hybrid cost 2,000 to 3,000 more than a standard car I would rather spend it on a diesel with less moving parts and less eletronic stuff.