Worldwide sales of TMC hybrids top 5 million units

Sunday, April 21, 2013 Staff Report KARACHI: Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced cumulative global sales of its hybrid vehicles topped the 5 million units mark as of March 31, 2013 reaching 5.125 million units. Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority and based on its belief that environment-friendly vehicles can only truly have a positive impact if they are used widely, TMC has endeavored to promote the mass-market adoption of hybrid vehicles. Last year hybrid vehicles accounted for 14 percent of TMC’s global vehicle sales and 40 percent of its vehicle sales in Japan. As of this month, TMC sells 19 hybrid passenger car models and one plug-in hybrid model in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world, and between now and December 2015, TMC will launch a total of 18 new hybrid vehicles worldwide and is committed to augmenting its product lineup even further and increasing the number of countries and regions where it sells hybrid vehicles. TMC calculates as of March 31, 2013, TMC hybrid vehicles have resulted in approximately 34 million fewer tonneof CO2 emissions-believed to be a cause of global warming than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance. TMC estimates its hybrid vehicles have saved approximately 12 million kiloliters of gasoline compared to the amount used by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size. TMC Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada said, “We developed the first-generation Prius with the aim of making it a car for the twenty-first century and as an indication of Toyota’s response to environmental issues. The launch of the first-generation Prius had effects beyond our expectations, with the vehicle increasing consumer environmental awareness and raising hybrid vehicle expectations. dailytimes.com.pk