One of the success stories in a rather depressed new vehicle market this year has been Toyota’s medium sized RAV4 SUV, in particular its Hybrid version, which has been an order situation for some time.  RAV4 sales year to date are up a staggering 73 per cent in a new vehicle market that’s down 20 percent by comparison.  The hybrid power train now accounts for more than 60 per cent of RAV4 sales and whilst supply since launch last year has not been able to meet demand frustrating many potential customers Toyota Australia recently secured another 8,000 RAV4 hybrids for delivery from July. Toyota first starting selling hybrids here in 2001 with the small Prius, its Camry sedan its most successful hybrid model on the back of its universal acceptance today in taxi fleets. Later this year Toyota will launch a new small Yaris hatch and Yaris Cross SUV, and next year a new Kluger SUV, all available with fourth generation hybrid powertrains.

I’m David Berthon

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