Toyota may no longer hold the title of the best-selling car in the world, but the automaker reached a different milestone with its hybrid cars. Global sales of the manufacturer's hybrid vehicles have surpassed 5 million for the first time, including 2 million sold in the U.S. alone.
As the world's largest creator of hybrids, it's no surprise that Toyota led the rest of the pack when it came to sales. These environmentally friendly automobiles accounted for 14 percent of the automaker's total sales last year, and that number is only expected to grow after a strong first quarter boosted the numbers, Bloomberg reports.
"Toyota has led the world on cost-effective, fuel-saving hybrid technology for more than a decade, but the competition is really heating up," David Friedman, deputy director of the clean vehicles program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told the Chicago Sun-Times. "... They will need to focus their hybrids on boosting fuel economy further and cutting costs, while picking up the pace in innovation in their conventional and electric cars."
Drivers are increasingly becoming drawn to hybrid cars thanks to the superior fuel efficiency and vehicle maintenance they boast. As the popularity grows, taking care of auto repair with hybrids should become easier, as more parts and knowledge are available, making them even more attractive to owners.