Toyota has sold an all-time record of 502,016 units in the period from January to June 2004 in Europe, an increase of 15% over the first half of 2003.

This is the first time Toyota’s six months sales have exceeded the 500,000 mark in Europe, which has led to a European market share of 5.1%, up from 4.7% last year.

“We hope to beat our 2004 target of 860,000 vehicles," says Thierry Dombreval, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Marketing Europe.

Total European sales of the Toyota Yaris (141,117 units) rose 9.1% in the January-June period, compared to the same period the previous year. Corolla sales rose 9.5% to 103,976 units.

The Toyota Avensis was successful as well with sales of 83,911 units (+71.7%). Meanwhile, the new Corolla Verso achieved an absolute monthly record with sales of 26,294 units in the month of June. And sales of the hybrid Toyota Prius in the first half reached 3,444 units (+874%). Lexus sales for the first half increased 31.6% to 13,378 units, compared to the same period last year.