Toyota Motor Corporation Surpasses 1 Million Global Hybrid Sales:

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Toyota Motor Corporation Surpasses 1 Million Global Hybrid Sales: June 7, 2007 – Torrance, CA – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced
the one-millionth hybrid sale today by parent company, Toyota Motor Corporation.
Of the one million hybrid sales worldwide, more than half have been sold in
the United States — 541,210 units from 2000 through April 2007.

"The cost benefit of hybrids is becoming more apparent with climbing gas
prices," said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president. "We anticipate
combined sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrids of a quarter million units in the
U.S. during calendar year 2007."

Despite earlier concerns that decreased tax credits from the IRS would dampen
hybrid demand, Toyota continues to post record hybrid sales. Calendar-year-to-date
hybrid sales for TMS totaled 119,154 units, an increase of 75 percent over the
same period last year.

In May, TMS posted sales of 36,101 hybrid vehicles, up 102 percent over last
May. Toyota Division posted sales of 34,174 hybrids, up 121 percent over the
same period last year. Lexus Division posted sales of 1,927 hybrids.

As consumers begin the summer driving season, the broad benefits of hybrid technology
reveal discernible cost-savings with strong sales of Toyota Camry Hybrid and
Toyota Prius. When comparing real-world hybrid transaction prices to non-hybrid
prices and taking into account current rising fuel prices, Toyota hybrids show
their remarkable value as estimated in the chart below.

HYBRID PREMIUM
PAYBACK

(National Average
Gas Prices)

 

Prius

Camry LE (4-cyl)

 

Hybrid Premium

True Market Value*

$23,835

$22,598

 

$450

Potential Tax
Credit (as of 5/07)

$787

NA

 

 

 

$23,048

$22,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual gas cost
($3.00/gal) **

$978

$1,875

 

Annual fuel savings

Based on 2008 EPA
ratings

 

 

 

$897

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hybrid payback
(years)

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camry Hybrid

Camry XLE (4-cyl)

 

Hybrid Premium

True Market Value*

$25,951

$24,881

 

$420

Potential Tax
Credit (as of 5/07)

$650

NA

 

 

 

$25,301

$24,881

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual gas cost
($3.00/gal)**

$1,323

$1,875

 

Annual fuel savings

Based on 2008 EPA
ratings

 

 

 

$552

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hybrid payback
(years)

* TMV based on
Edmunds.com

 

 

 

0.8

** Based on 15,000
miles/year

 

 

 

 

Hybrid payback (years)
* TMV based on Edmunds.com 0.8
** Based on 15,000 miles/year

Aside from the gas-savings to hybrid owners, the significant reduction in tailpipe
emissions, as well as the reduction in foreign oil dependence, has been a factor
among many buyers who say they are concerned about the environment. According
to a recent study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), hybrid
vehicles have saved close to 215 million gallons, or 5.1 million barrels, of
fuel in the U.S. since their introduction in 1999. As the market share leader
in the hybrid segment, Toyota accounted for 66 percent of all hybrids sold in
America during that period.

Additionally, Toyota has calculated that global sales of hybrid vehicles have
greatly contributed to reductions in CO2 emissions. Since the introduction of
Toyota’s first hybrid in 1997, approximately 3.5 million fewer tons of CO2 were
emitted when comparing emissions from gas-powered vehicles to hybrids of the
same class.

Also significant to buyers who may base their next purchase on environmental
priorities are the results of recent lifecycle assessment studies of hybrid
vehicles. A variety of studies, including one from the Argonne National Laboratory,
have concluded that the total lifetime energy use of hybrid vehicles—from
development, through production, through on-highway use, to end-of-life recycling
and landfill—is significantly lower than conventional vehicles.

Prius was launched in the Japan domestic market in 1997, and in the U.S. market
as a 2001-model in 2000. In 2005, the Highlander Hybrid SUV debuted as a model
year 2006. For the first time, the Toyota Camry added a hybrid option for model
year 2007.

In 2005 Lexus entered the hybrid fold with the launch of the world’s first luxury
hybrid, the RX 400h luxury sport utility vehicle. Powered by its Lexus Hybrid
Drive system, the RX 400h is equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 and two electric motor
generators, delivering an impressive 268 total system horsepower while rated
an EPA estimate of 32 miles-per-gallon during city driving. The new hybrid luxury
SUV has proved popular with environmentally-conscious luxury buyers as the RX
400h has made up nearly 20 percent of all RX sales since it launched.

Lexus continued its venture into hybrids in 2006 with the launch of the GS 450h
performance luxury sedan. The GS450h gave further proof that hybrid technology
could be used in many different types of vehicles.

The Lexus commitment to hybrid technology continues with the launch of the all-new
2008 LS 600h L premium luxury hybrid sedan when it goes on sale this summer.

 

Credit: Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Copy By: Flipside909 

 

 

 

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