Toyota Aygo is now also going hybrid
Toyota’s development chief Mitsuhisa Kato reported that Toyota is planning on extending the hybrid powered cars throughout its range – including the Toyota Aygo.
Hybrid versions of the Prius and Yaris are already available (in SA as well).
Kato said that hybrid cars were more likely to prevail than all-electric cars or those powered by electricity from hydrogen-producing fuel-cells.
He said, “For most applications the hybrid drivetrain is best. Whenever we manage to increase the efficiency of individual components of our hybrid systems we see knock-on benefits in the field of electric cars and those powered by conventional internal combustion engines.”
He also explained, ”Our goal is to offer a hybrid in all segments but we must get costs down to put this technology into the smallest cars.”
Prius accounts for almost half the overall total with 3.36 million sales – making it easily the world’s best-selling hybrid vehicle. This decision also comes after Toyota posted an impressive global milestone with confirmation it has sold its seven-millionth hybrid vehicle, further entrenching the Japanese automaker as the world’s favourite car brand.
In terms of hybrid cars in South Africa, Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing for Toyota SA Motors, points out: “Toyota is the only local manufacturer to have a hybrid presence in just about every single segment. At the affordable end of the market there’s Yaris and Auris; playing in the middle of the field is the stalwart Prius and the premium Lexus CT 200h; while at the other end of the spectrum you have the Lexus ES 300h, RX 450h and GS 450h.”