Toyota to launch 18 new hybrid models by 2015

Japanese automobile giant Toyota has announced that the company has sold over five million hybrid vehicles since the launch of their first one, the Prius, in 1997. The Prius certainly grabbed the attention of environmentally conscious people worldwide and in the US it quickly became quite an icon with many Hollywood celebrities opting for one. 

As of now, Toyota has 19 hybrid vehicles in its model line-up, including a plug-in hybrid. The growing popularity for its hybrid vehicles has given Toyota the confidence to drive further down the green path and announce that it will be launching 18 new hybrid models by the end of 2015. 

 "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. Despite being challenging and costly to develop, the launch of the first-generation Prius had effects beyond our expectations," said, Toyota's Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamad. 

In India, Toyota only sells two hybrid models, namely the Prius Z5 and Z6. Sales of the Prius in India have gone up by over 70 per cent in FY 2012-13 when the company sold 12 units as compared to 7 units sold in the previous 2011-12 financial year. 

Due to heavy import duties the Toyota Prius is priced between Rs 29.25 lakh and Rs 31.42 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). A TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation) spokesperson in Tokyo is reported to have stated that the company will continue to study the Indian market to introduce new hybrid models in the country at appropriate times. 

As of now, Toyota has no concrete plans to start CKD (completely knocked down) operations of hybrid vehicles to bring down the cost of the imported Prius in India. The spokesperson stated that, "Depending on the future market dynamics, we will study and take a decision accordingly." 

In 2012, Toyota sold 8.7 million vehicles globally of which 1.2 million units were hybrid vehicles. As it can be seen that nearly 14 per cent of the company’s sales have been accounted for by its hybrid vehicles, it makes perfect sense for Toyota to capitalise on the breed further. When it comes to India, the price sensitive market still has some way to go before hybrids are considered a viable alternative. 

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