Toyota posts record market share in tough year

Burnaston-based Toyota says it achieved a record-breaking performance in the UK new car market in 2020, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Year-end results show it achieved its highest market share yet at 5.19 per cent; highest share of the passenger car market at 5.6% and its highest share as a group (including Lexus) at 5.9%.

Although sales volume was reduced, Toyota’s decline of -12.6% was the lowest among volume manufacturers and significantly less than the -29.4% fall recorded by the UK market as a whole.

Within the past year, Toyota also recorded its best individual monthly market shares in March and September – the critical registration plate-change months – across the board for Toyota passenger cars, total Toyota brand vehicles and the Toyota (GB) group.

The proportion of hybrid electric models within Toyota’s sales total continues to grow, rising from 59.3 to 72.5% during the past year. The shift reflects the increasing range of hybrid models available and growing consumer demand.

Within the Toyota line-up, all the core models improved their market share performance, including the new Yaris Hybrid, Corolla Hybrid and C-HR Hybrid. The RAV4 Hybrid notably increased in its sales volume by 28.4% in a market segment that fell overall by 37.9%.

Performance in fleet and business car sales also established new record market shares: 5.5% for Toyota passenger cars, 5.01% for all Toyota brand vehicles and 5.51% for all Toyota (GB) sales.

Mark Roden, Toyota (GB) operations director, said: “Even though no one could have anticipated just how tough the trading conditions were going to be, our retail partners have done an exceptional job in keeping customers and their teams safe and keeping business going. The strong results we have achieved are in great part thanks to their dedication and, with Toyota (GB)’s support, their prompt and effective action.

“Beyond this, the figures demonstrate the strength of the Toyota product line-up, in particular the self-charging hybrids that are now the backbone of our brand. This year we will be reinforcing our range, in particular in the crucial SUV segment with the launch of the all-new Yaris Cross Hybrid, our first Highlander Hybrid and the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid.”

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