Hybrids Account For Almost Half Of Toyota's EU Sales

Toyota Motor Europe reported strong growth in its sales for the first half of the year in Europe.

The Japanese car maker sold 560,000 vehicles in that time, representing a 6 percent increase versus last year. Total market share for the group was increased to 5 percent.

The most impressive sales figure however belongs to the hybrid models of the company; Toyota Motor Europe sold 257,000 of them in Europe, a 23 percent increase over last year, representing 46 percent of the company’s total sales volume in the old continent.

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MDarringer - 7/19/2018 11:19:32 AM

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It actually surprises me that hybrids are not more prevalent everywhere.

I'd hybridize every 3-row crossover I made if I were a manufacturer. Hybridize full-sized pickups.

vdiv - 7/19/2018 11:45:16 AM

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I'd go a step further and make them a plugin hybrid.

MDarringer - 7/19/2018 12:01:40 PM

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Indeed. I completely agree.

atc98092 - 7/19/2018 12:05:36 PM

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Agreed. My next car will have a plug. Maybe pure electric, maybe PHEV. Have to see what is available when I reach that point.

TomM - 7/19/2018 12:15:16 PM

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No - I do not agree with a Plug-in YET.

Having driven two Hybrids as company cars - at least they have reasonably consistent performance. However - with a Plug-in - once you run out of electric power - the engine that kicks in generally has less power and runs much differently than the electric motor. Some manufacturers use the ICE engine only to produce electricity for the Electric Motor - other let the Gas engine
take over but the gas engine is normally barely adequate for transportation.

However - one must remember the difference in the price of fuel in the EU to see why Hybrids sell better than gas engines (Remembering that diesels are still sold).

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 7/19/2018 1:00:51 PM

+2 Boost

@MD- More than a bit surprising that this move has not happened in a big way yet. Hybrids are really the best of both worlds. Range for those who drive longer distances. And the ability to never having to fill the tank for a month or more if you live in the city.

TheSteve - 7/19/2018 5:36:26 PM

+2 Boost

I like efficiency. I like low cost per mile. I like lower emissions (very closely tied to fuel efficiency in ICE vehicles. PHEVs have got my attention.

After the 2019 Porsche Cayenne PHEV (with a meagre 27 mile EV range) caught my eye, I started examining my driving trends more closely, and it looks like the Cayenne Hybrid would be a better option in virtually all of my trips (EXCEPT lengthy road trips, even with the Cayenne in it's best highway cruise mode, running on premium gas).

MrEE - 7/19/2018 6:41:28 PM

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The Europeans resisted the Japanese autos a long time, but now they should quickly learn about reliability, longevity, efficacy and value.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 7/20/2018 7:52:17 AM

+1 Boost

Does anybody have some thoughts on the windmill? The green supporting structure and ends in an oversized ships wheel? I have never seen one like this. As well it seems like a very modern structure that is trying to "look" old.

Vette71 - 7/20/2018 12:26:16 PM

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The top rotates to face the wind. The leg structure with the "ships wheel" moves around on a track to turn the top. Early version of today's rotating tops that keep the blades into the wind. Lots of these in the Netherlands.