Toyota predicts it will sell more than 200,000 vehicles in 2020, with sales of the company’s hybrid-electric cars and SUVs expected to approach a record 20 per cent of all deliveries.
Customers bought 205,766 Toyota vehicles during the year, lifting the company’s market share to a seven-year high of 19.4 per cent – more than the combined totals of its two nearest rivals for the third straight year.
Toyota Australia President Matthew Callachor said 200,000-plus sales with a rising share in a tough market highlighted the confidence and trust consumers place in the Toyota brand and its range of vehicles.
“Our market share was 20 per cent or higher in six months of the year and was 18 per cent or above on a further four occasions, providing a level of consistency that generates confidence in consumers as well as amongst our dealers,” Mr Callachor said.
“This year, we will further strengthen the appeal of our brand and our line-up with the arrival of Yaris and full-year availability of the new-generation Corolla sedan and the upgraded C-HR. All these models offer hybrid powertrains for the first time.
Toyota’s HiLux (47,649 total deliveries) is Australia’s best-selling car for the fourth year in a row – and Australia’s most popular commercial vehicle for the past 22 years.
Toyota’s tally in 2019 was boosted by a record 27,846 hybrid-electric vehicle sales – more than 13.5 per cent of the brand’s total sales and more than double the previous year’s level.
The company expects surging demand to accelerate hybrid-electric sales this year to a new record of 40,000 deliveries, with the final number determined by supply.
“Along with our existing RAV4, Camry and Corolla hatch hybrids, it is clear our target for hybrid sales in 2020, representing around 20 per cent of our total volume, is well within reach,” Mr Callachor said.
“Forecasts for continued low-interest rates and slightly stronger economic growth make us cautiously optimistic for the upcoming year.”
