Toyota achieves record 2022 new car sales in the UK despite ongoing supply issues

Automaker Toyota said Jan. 9 that it has achieved record new car sales in the UK in 2022, despite ongoing supply issues.

The company sold 101,641 passenger cars during the year, taking up a record 6.3% share of the overall market, with the total sales in the Toyota group at 125,332 units, comprising a record 6.61% total share.

Although not a record, light commercial vehicle sales also took a 4.6% share at 13,016 units, which it said placed Toyota third among OEMs in the UK, its highest place yet.

It noted that alternative fuel vehicles, such as hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel cell electric, and battery electric vehicles, accounted for 75% of all new Toyota brand sales in 2022.

Increased EV demand has been one factor boosting battery metal prices. Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed seaborne lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide at $74,200/mt CIF North Asia and $80,900/mt CIF North Asia Jan. 9, up 119.5% and 155.2%, respectively, since the start of 2022.

In 2022, Toyota also surpassed 4 million sales since its vehicles were first introduced in the UK in 1965, it said.

“Despite the supply issues which our entire industry has had to deal with, we continue to perform strongly thanks to the quality of our products, the introduction of competitive new models and the increasing appeal of our hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid technology as an affordable, accessible and practical way for people to help reduce overall carbon emissions,” said Toyota (GB) Operations Director Mark Roden.

“This year we will be further strengthening our vehicle ranges, with more new model announcements to come, and ensuring that our sales platforms and mobility products meet the needs and preferences of today’s customers—both for retail and fleet/business users,” he added.

Toyota previously said it was planning to expand its global electrified portfolio to 70 products, including 15 battery electric vehicles, by 2025 as it aims to achieve carbon neutrality globally by 2050.

— Jacqueline Holman