Hybrids Drive Strong Sales Resumption for Lexus and Toyota in June

• More motorists choosing Lexus and Toyota hybrids as UK showrooms re-open for business
• Both brands see higher sales and record-breaking market shares in June
• Lexus figures rise 13.6 per cent to 1,361 vehicles, yielding almost one per cent market share
• Toyota volume up 2.7 per cent with 11,638 units, giving an eight per cent market share

As Britain’s car showrooms re-opened for business during June, more and more new car customers opted for Lexus and Toyota self-charging hybrids.

The SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) reported a “tentative restart” for the retail industry and an overall decline in the market of almost 35 per cent, but both Lexus and Toyota bucked the trend by increasing their sales.

Lexus recorded 1,361 sales, a rise of 13.6 per cent and a 0.94 per cent market share. Toyota sold 11,638 new cars, a 2.7 per cent increase on the same month last year, giving it an eight per cent market share. And with LCVs taken into account, it achieved its highest June sales volume on record at 12,447 units.

Hybrid models were the drivers of volume: to date this year hybrid models have accounted for 99.77 per cent of Lexus new car sales and 63.71 per cent of Toyota sales.

For Lexus, the new UX urban SUV led the way with 377 sales, ahead of the mid-size NX SUV (339) and the larger RX and RX L models (262).

For Toyota, the C-HR was top-performer in the hybrid line-up in June with 1,619 sales, ahead of Yaris (1,495) and RAV4 (1,416).

These results helped power an overall 19.3 per cent increase in UK hybrid-electric vehicle sales compared to June 2019, giving the technology a seven per cent share of the new car market, according to SMMT data.

Paul Van der Burgh, Toyota (GB) President and Managing Director, said: “The sales results for June are a fitting reward for the tremendous efforts our Lexus and Toyota retailers have made during the past weeks to resume trading in a way that is safe and gives customers complete peace of mind. Their commitment and the compelling quality of our growing range of self-charging hybrids have combined to deliver the perfect foundation for further growth in the months ahead. More than ever, consumers want to be sure they are making the right choice, and they are increasingly putting their faith in our hybrids.”

ENDS