Toyota focuses more hybrids in Europe

Automakers have plenty to worry about in Europe, fallout from Volkswagen Group’s diesel emissions scandal, the auto market in Russia and if the U.K. will decide soon to break away from the European Union.

Toyota Motor Corp. is handling everything by concentrating on building market share, selling more hybrids and improving production to give its European dealerships more locally constructed products.

The Japanese automaker states its diesel sales have actually been untouched by the Volkswagen scandal. However Toyota will continue to focus on its long-term method of selling and promoting hybrids in the area, states Johan van Zyl, Toyota’s magnate in Europe.

European purchasers looking for fuel-efficient cars have long preferred diesels over hybrids, Toyota’s specialty, but van Zyl says hybrids are gaining approval.

In 2015 Toyota sold 209,000 hybrids in Europe, representing 24 percent of its overall sales here. It anticipates that number to rise to 270,000 this year, representing 30 percent of its overall sales.

The area is Toyota’s greatest hybrid market outside Japan, van Zyl included. General hybrid sales are low in Europe, accounting for less than 2 percent of the region’s overall new-car volume while diesel-powered vehicles comprise almost half of the area’s automobile sales.