The July introduction of the redesigned Lexus IS line in July, including a full hybrid model, boosted full year sales here in the UK 90% year on year to 1,979 units, versus 1,046 in 2012.
“The new IS 300h has further broadened the range’s appeal, in particular with business customers who can enjoy the benefit of class-leading company car tax rates, thanks to low emissions from the hybrid powertrain. As well as being cleaner and more fuel efficient than its premium market rivals, the IS 300h delivers an impressively quiet and refined drive,” Lexus UK said in a statement.
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Last summer also brought a refresh for the well-established RX hybrid luxury SUV, now four years into its life cycle. That helped boost 2013 sales almost 7% to 2,084 units.
Total Lexus UK sales in 2013 rose 7.3% to 9,014, according to the SMMT, for 0.4% market share.
The parent company boosted Toyota brand sales 4.8% to 88,648 units though market share fell to 3.91% from 4.14%.
Auris volume was up from 11,469 cars in 2012 to 16,215 last year. Hatchback sales rose 64.2%, the largest year on year sales increase in the class.
A mid-life update for the Turkish built, seven-seat Verso derivative helped sales rise from 2,981 to 3,565. Further growth is likely this year when a new, tax-friendly diesel engine, supplied by BMW, is launched.
Boosted by a full redesign, sales of the RAV4 soared 78% from 4,030 in 2012 to 7,174. Thanks partly to the appeal of the two litre D-4D diesel 2WD version, sales to fleet and business customers soared 148%.
Auris Hybrid sales rose almost 40% to 6,160 and the model is now Britain’s best-selling hybrid.
The hybrid was the most popular in the wagon range, selling more than double the volume of the petrol and diesel versions.
Toyota said the Prius Plug-in outsold its closest rival, the Vauxhall Ampera, by more than two to one. Total sales rose 8.5% compared to 2012.
Overall, Toyota sold 6,160 hybrids in 2013 compared with 4,031 a year earlier.
Despite now being in its eighth year, sales of the Aygo, built in a Czech Republic joint venture with PSA, also rose.
