(March 8, 2011) TOYOTA CITY, Japan — Global sales of Toyota hybrid vehicles have topped the 3-million mark, with more than 3.03 million units sold worldwide as of Feb. 28, Toyota reported today.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) launched the "Coaster Hybrid EV" in August 1997 in Japan, and launched the Prius — the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle — in December. Sales of the Prius began in North America, Europe and elsewhere in 2000.

Next came the second-generation Prius in 2003 and the expanded use of TMC's hybrid system on such vehicles as minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and hatchbacks. The third-generation Prius went on sale in May 2009, and the global cumulative sales of TMC's hybrid vehicles topped 2 million by the end of August 2009.

This year, TMC continued to expand its hybrid vehicle lineup, launching the Lexus CT 200h — the first dedicated hybrid model in the premium-compact segment — in January.

TMC currently sells 16 hybrid vehicle models in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world, including three commercial vehicle models in Japan. TMC plans to introduce 10 new-model hybrid vehicles by the end of 2012, including six newly launched vehicles and 4 vehicles that have been redesigned. TMC is committed to augmenting this lineup even further and increasing the number of countries and regions in which it sells hybrid vehicles.

As of Feb 28, TMC calculates that TMC hybrid vehicles have led to approximately 18 million fewer tons of CO2 emissions than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance.

Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority and based on its belief that environment-considerate vehicles contribute only through their widespread use, TMC has endeavored to achieve the widespread use of hybrid vehicles.