Toyota is celebrating 25 years as the best-selling automotive brand in Australia, with its evergreen HiLux confirmed as Australia’s best-selling vehicle for the sixth year in a row.
The company reportedly sold a total of 223,642 new vehicles in 2021, of which 52,801 were HiLux.
A strong 2021 result included a record 65,491 hybrid-electric vehicle sales, representing an unprecedented 29.3 per cent of Toyota’s total local sales for the year.
The enduring popularity of models like HiLux, HiAce and LandCruiser has enabled Toyota to maintain an astounding unbroken run of 43 years as Australia’s light commercial vehicle sales leader.
It was, according to Toyota, the biggest year ever for the LandCruiser brand with a total of 47,932 units sold including individual records for LandCruiser Prado (21,299) and the workhorse LandCruiser 70 Series (13,981), along with continued strong sales of the LandCruiser wagon (12,652), including the all-new 300 Series.
In addition, HiLux 4×2, Coaster bus, HiAce van and HiAce bus reportedly led their individual segments in the past 12 months.
Toyota Australia has made a pledge to bring an even greater customer focus to its operations to ensure its local market share remains above 20 per cent.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing & Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said Toyota’s ‘kaizen’ (continuous improvement) culture would accelerate the introduction of innovative vehicles and services that benefit owners and other road users.
“We are progressively upgrading our range with vehicles that have new levels of connectivity and advanced safety features,” said Hanley.
“We are also moving ever-closer to autonomous driving, shared services like KINTO and a rising number and widening range of electrified vehicles.”
Hanley said that while its 2021 sales results are remarkable in an Australian market that is one of the most competitive in the world, Toyota continues to respect the competition and never takes its position for granted.
He said Toyota is optimistic about building on the brand’s success during the coming year.
“For 2022, given what we know right now, our target is to increase sales beyond last year’s total and maintain our market share above 20 per cent,” said Hanley.
“We will freshen our existing line-up with the upgraded RAV4 range early this year, the Corolla Cross SUV and second-generation GR86 sports car in the second half, an update to the 70 Series workhorse, and we will also announce launch timing for our first BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) – the bZ4X SUV.”