Toyota hybrid sales pass 200,000 in Australia, delays for RAV4 still out to six months

Toyota Australia has now sold more than 200,000 hybrid cars – more than any other manufacturer locally – passing the major milestone in May 2021.

In a statement issued by Toyota Australia today – 15 July 2021 – the company reported a total of 210,817 hybrids have been sold locally to the end of June 2021, led by Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Prius (full list at the bottom of this story).

While it took 20 years to pass the 200,000 mark, half of the total tally was sold in the past three years.

However, demand is so strong there are lengthy delays for key models, namely the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid which is now pushed out to six months.

At its peak, some Toyota RAV4 Hybrid customers were waiting up to 10 months to take delivery of their new car.

Then Toyota worked overtime to reduce waiting times to two to three months, but constant demand has pushed deliveries back to six months once again.

“We’re working closely with Japan so that we can reduce customer wait times as much as possible,” said Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief, Sean Hanley.

“We truly appreciate the support we receive from so many Australians, and also their patience – particularly with hybrids, which remain in extremely strong demand.”

Toyota’s 200,000 hybrid sales milestone does not include more than 30,000 Lexus hybrid cars sold locally.

Globally, Toyota and Lexus combined have sold more than 16 million hybrid cars over the past 24 years.

In Australia, hybrid cars now represent just under 30 per cent of Toyota’s total sales – a record high – and were above that level in April and May as an influx of stock arrived to fill back orders.

Toyota has previously said it will have a hybrid version of every model in its range – including the Toyota Hilux ute, Toyota Hiace van, and Toyota LandCruiser 4WD – by 2030 after initially claiming it would reach this milestone by 2025.

TOYOTA HYBRID SALES IN AUSTRALIA (to 30 June, 2021)

TOTAL 210,817

Footnote: This story was originally published on 8 June 2021 but was updated with the latest figures on 15 July 2021.

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