Hybrid pioneers Toyota and Lexus have dominated the hybrid segment for the last five years taking more than 75% of sales since 2007, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

From 2007 up to the end of the first quarter of this year, almost 100,000 hybrid vehicles have been sold in the UK. Of that number, 77,000 were Toyota or Lexus cars – a proportion of more than three in every four hybrids registered.

In terms of hybrid’s market share, the figures have almost doubled, from 0.7% to 1.3% so far in 2012.

Other manufacturers are starting to ramp up competition in the sector with Peugeot and Citroen offering diesel hybrids; Honda has offerings with its Civic, CRZ and Insight and the plug-in hybrid sector is also growing with models like the Volvo V60, Chevrolet Volt and Vauxhall Ampera.

Jon Williams, Toyota president and managing director, said: “The SMMT data show how the momentum for hybrid is increasing.

“Motorists appreciate its environmental performance, its reliability and ease of use, plus the smooth and refined driving quality.

“Toyota’s leadership in hybrid technology is not just about the models we have launched and the new vehicles we are bringing to market this year. It also serves as a proven, flexible technology platform for creating different power trains – all-electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles – with which we will be able to develop and deliver sustainable transport with minimum environmental impact.”

A surprising amount of manufacturers other than Toyota and Lexus have hybrid products on sale:

BMW
CHEVROLET
CITROEN
HONDA
INFINITI
LEXUS
PEUGEOT
PORSCHE
TOYOTA
VAUXHALL
VOLKSWAGEN

(Source SMMT)