A car built at Toyota’s Derbyshire factory has helped the firm reach three million hybrid sales in Europe.
The Japanese car-maker hit the landmark thanks to the sale of a new Corolla GR Sport, manufactured at the firm’s Burnaston factory.
The GR Sport is the most powerful and sporty in the Corolla range, which also includes the full-hybrid hatchback and Touring Sports – all of which are built in Derbyshire.
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The car that helped Toyota Motor Europe hit the sales landmark was bought by customer Nicolas Jimenez, who lives in Madrid, Spain.
He said: “Today, with the restrictions to enter many cities, a hybrid is essential.
“I have chosen a Corolla GR Sport because of the design, which makes me feel 30 years younger. I am young at heart and this is the version of Corolla that suits me best in that sense.”
The car was handed over to Mr Jimenez by Miguel Carsi, president and chief executive of Toyota Spain.
He said: “For Toyota Spain, it is a great honour to deliver the three millionth hybrid electric vehicle.
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“Following our rapid hybrid growth, we are excited to see that customers looking for cars with more sports appeal are also considering hybrid electric powertrains.
"This underlines their confidence that our hybrid technology can deliver the necessary driving pleasure and performance.”
Toyota started selling hybrid electric vehicles in Europe in 2000 with the Prius. Today, Toyota offers a range of 20 hybrid electric models across the Toyota and Lexus brands.
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Last year, hybrid electric vehicles accounted for 52% of its total sales and 63% in Western Europe.
Matt Harrison, executive vice-president of Toyota Motor Europe, said: “Three million hybrid electric vehicle sales is an important milestone as it highlights the mass appeal that our hybrids have with customers.
“Our hybrid sales success puts Toyota well on track to meeting the 95g/km target set by the EU commission for 2020 and 2021 in Europe.”