Toyota and Lexus achieve record sales of electric and hybrid cars in Europe, while Romanians prefer hybrids
At a time when the automotive industry is undergoing major recalibrations, the Toyota Group is demonstrating that its bet on diversified electrification is extremely solid. In the first half of this year, Toyota Motor Europe recorded a historic performance on our continent, with electric and hybrid vehicles representing no less than 87% of the group's total sales. This is an absolute record for the company, and the explosion of the green segment has massively compensated in key segments, even if the total volume of deliveries has experienced a minor correction overall.
The numbers behind European success
In the first six months of the year, the Toyota Group, which includes the Toyota and Lexus brands, delivered a total of 633,617 vehicles in Europe. The figure represents a slight decrease of only 0.3% compared to the same period last year. Analyzed by brand, the dynamics show that the Toyota brand sold 592,463 units, up 0.2%, while the premium Lexus division reported 41,154 cars delivered, marking a decrease of 7%. Beyond these general figures, the big surprise comes from the area of pure electric propulsion. In the first half of the year, the group's sales of 100% electric cars doubled, registering an increase of 113%. Strictly under the Toyota emblem, the manufacturer sold 62,412 electric cars, a spectacular jump of 125% compared to the first half of last year.
The models that rule the European market
In the European market, customer preferences have outlined clear hierarchies for both brands of the group. As for the Toyota brand, the urban SUV Yaris Cross Hybrid remains the undisputed leader, with 107,251 units sold in the first half. It is closely followed by the classic Yaris Hybrid, with 86,820 units, while the podium is completed by the Corolla range, which has collected 77,998 cars sold. On the other hand, at the luxury brand Lexus, the new small segment crossover LBX Hybrid quickly climbed to the first position, recording 13,236 units delivered. The next positions on the premium brand's podium were occupied by the mid-size SUV Lexus NX, with a total of 12,992 units, and the compact model Lexus UX, which recorded 4,159 units purchased.
Impact on the Romanian market
In Romania, the Japanese group's success aligns perfectly with a strong national trend. The Romanian market is rapidly moving towards exceeding a historic threshold of registrations for electric and hybrid cars, with full-hybrid technology becoming the favorite of Romanians due to its low maintenance costs and efficiency in urban environments. In this context, Toyota maintains a strong position on the local market, being the second best-selling brand in the country after Dacia and a clear leader among import brands. Models such as Corolla, RAV4 and Yaris Cross dominate the charts of plug-in hybrid cars purchased by the Romanian public. This popularity also comes against the backdrop of recent tax changes, where the reduction of eco-tickets for purely electric cars has redirected buyers' attention towards hybrids, considered much more stable, including at resale.
Prices and availability in showrooms
Those interested in purchasing the best-selling models in Romania have access to the official dealer network, with competitive prices for the proposed technology. For a clear picture of the necessary budget, here is a summary of the recommended starting prices for the group's main electrified models on the domestic market:
| Brand and Model | Segment and Powertrain Details | Estimated List Price (VAT Included) |
| Toyota Yaris Hybrid | City compact, high urban efficiency | €20,000 — €22,000 |
| Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid | Urban SUV, Active base trim | €24,860 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan Hybrid | Compact sedan, 1.8-liter engine | €25,040 |
| Lexus LBX Hybrid | Premium crossover, 1.5-liter engine (136 HP) | €38,227 |
Future prospects
With a strategy focused on technological diversity, where classic hybrids ensure volume and profitability, and pure electrics gain ground in an accelerated manner, the Toyota group seems immune to the volatility currently affecting other European manufacturers. For the local public, the recognized reliability of Japanese hybrid systems remains the strongest purchasing argument, ensuring the premises for the commercial success of the auto giant to remain on an upward slope in the coming years.