Hybrid vehicles have yet to really take off in the greater sales scheme of things and this is largely due to how expensive they are. But Toyota is at least making slow but steady progress in the quest to make hybrids popular.
The car giant has just sold its four-millionth hybrid vehicle - if one includes vehicles from both the Toyota and Lexus brands.
Toyota's first hybrid vehicle was actually a bus called the Coaster Hybrid EV and which was launched in Japan back in 1997. However this was just four months before the company launched a nameplate we know - that being the first-generation Prius.
Around the globe Toyota now offers 19 full hybrid passenger vehicles in around 80 countries, this petrol-electric model range spanning hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs.
Now here's an interesting number. Toyota estimates that its hybrids have led to a saving of around 26 million tonnes of CO2 emissions when compared to what would have been emitted by petrol or diesel vehicles of similar size and performance.
TOYOTA'S HYBRID TIMELINE
1997
Mar - Toyota Hybrid System (THS) unveiled
Aug - Coaster Hybrid EV launched (Japanonly)
Dec - Prius launched
2000
Nov - Start of full hybrid sales in Europe; cumulative Prius sales top 50 000 vehicles
2001
Jun - Estima (Previa) Hybrid launched (Japan only)
Aug - Crown Mild Hybrid launched (Japan only)
2002
Mar - Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 100 000 mark
Aug - Cumulative Prius sales top 100 000 units
2003
Apr - Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) unveiled
Jul - Alphard Hybrid launched (Japan only)
Sep - Second-generation Prius launched
Nov - Dyna Hybrid and Toyoace Hybrid launched (Japan only)
2005
Mar - Harrier Hybrid (RX 400h) and Kluger Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid) launched
Oct - Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 500 000 mark
Dec - Second-generation Prius production begins at the Changchunplant in China
2006
Mar - GS 450h launched in Japan
Apr - Cumulative Prius sales top 500 000 vehicles
May - Camry Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
Jun - Redesigned Estima Hybrid launched (Japan only)
Oct - Camry Hybrid production starts in the USA; Quick Delivery 200 launched (Japan only)
2007
May - Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 1-million mark; LS 600h/LS 600hL launched
2008
Feb - Crown Hybrid unveiled (launched in April; Japan only)
May - Cumulative Prius sales top 1-million vehicles
2009
Jan - RX 450h unveiled (launched in April)
May - Third-generation Prius launched
Aug - Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 2-million mark
Oct - Sai unveiled (launched in December, Japan only)
2010
Apr - Camry Hybrid production commences at the GTMC's plant in China
Jun - Auris Hybrid production begins in the UK
Jul - Cumulative sales in Japan of TMC hybrids top 1-million vehicles
Sep - Cumulative Prius sales top 2-million vehicles
2011
Jan - Lexus CT200h unveiled
Feb - Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 3-million mark
Aug - Prius sales in Japan top 1-million mark; new Camry Hybrid unveiled
Nov - Prius PHV unveiled
Dec - Production of third-generation Prius begins in China; Aqua unveiled
2012
Jan - Redesigned GS 450h launched
Apr - Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales top 4-million mark