Exceptionally low cost of ownership has long been a cornerstone of Toyota Hybrid’s benefits, which is especially interesting for business fleet customers. A new independent study conducted by Tec-RMI in Germany confirms this.
Toyota’s full hybrid powertrains have been specifically designed for low maintenance and outstanding durability. Unlike vehicles with diesel or petrol engine, they have no need for a conventional starter motor or alternator. Hybrid engines are equipped with a maintenance-free timing chain and no drive belts whatsoever.
According to the results of primary research conducted by Tec-RMI* for the German fleet management magazine BFP Fuhrpark, some Toyota Hybrids are capable of saving up to €1,000 in maintenance after just 3 years.
The issue published on August 3rd, 2015 compares a selection of hybrid and plug-in hybrid models offered by different brands. All analysed vehicles were 36 months old and had a total mileage of 120,000 kilometres.
The tested Toyota Auris Hybrid and Lexus IS 300h models were the only Hybrid models generating “savings” for their owners. The Lexus IS 300h, performing best among all tested vehicles, can potentially “save” slightly over €1,000 compared to a vehicle equipped with a conventional petrol engine over the 3 years; of those savings around €450 are savings on tyre replacement costs. The Toyota Auris Hybrid would account for around 300 euro in savings against its diesel equivalent and 160 euro versus its petrol engined counterpart. Other brands’ hybrids and plug-ins tested by Tec-RMI ended up costing more than their diesel and petrol equivalent.
These figures confirm the achievements of the strong focus on efficiency-oriented engineering that Toyota is known for:
- Thanks to the Electronically Controlled Braking-Regeneration (ECB-R) system, brake pads can have a life expectancy of over 100,000 km.
- Standard sized tyres not only cost less, but the weight distribution of Toyota hybrid vehicles significantly reduces wear, with typical durability exceeding 50,000 km.
- The Exhaust system’s life expectancy is over five years due to its high stainless steel content,
- Toyota’s ‘lifetime’ LED headlamp bulbs have a 20-year lifespan.
Head of Fleet Europe, Dave Cussell commented: “The public recognition of Toyota’s Hybrid cost efficiency has resulted in an average 26% yearly sales increase of Toyota and Lexus Hybrids over the past 4 years in Europe. Since the first Hybrid car was released to the European market in 2000 – the first generation Prius, cumulative Hybrid sales have passed the 940,000 mark. Toyota Hybrids offer a genuinely smarter solution to European business customers and fleet managers.”
Toyota Motor Europe is increasing its focus on the growing fleet sector in Europe, and hybrids are helping. Many Toyota and Lexus’ national markets have established “Business Centers” and sales staff received specific training in Hybrid promotion. In the last 4 years, Toyota’s sales to corporate fleet customers have doubled, from 20,000 units in 2011 to 40,000 in 2014. Last year, Toyota and Lexus combined sold over 178,000 hybrids in Europe.
