Toyota celebrates 15th year of growth

Car manufacturer Toyota is celebrating its 15th consecutive year of growth in the UK retail market.

The Japanese company saw sales 3.2 per cent during 2007, when compared with 2006, outperforming the new vehicle market as a whole, which grew by 2.6 per cent.

In total combined UK sales of Toyota and Lexus passenger cars and Toyota LCVs totalled 143,436 units in 2007.

"A fifteenth record-breaking year demonstrates the momentum behind the Toyota and Lexus brands in the UK and around the world," said Toyota GB managing director, Miguel Fonseca.

"We are committed to providing motorists with cars of high quality that are safe, rewarding to drive and have less impact on the environment, supported by the highest levels of customer service from our centres."

Of the combined sales the Toyota brand account for 118,432 units, with the Auris and Yaris models proving popular.

This figure also includes 8,750 Prius cars sold - a record achievement for hybrid cars.

Lexus also saw sales increase by 2.9 per cent, up to 15,113 units.