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Toyota sold record 1.52 million hybrids in 2017

Toyota has been selling electrified cars for more than two decades now, launching the Prius hybrid in Japan in 1997. Back in the fall of 2015, the automaker announced a number of goals as part of its "Environmental Challenge 2050." One of those was to sell 1.5 million hybrids (including its Lexus brand) annually by 2020. Toyota has announced that is has already achieved that goal, selling 1.52 electrified vehicles in 2017. That's an 8 percent increase of Toyota's 2016 hybrid sales, and means the company has sold more than 11.47 million electrified vehicles since it began. Toyota says that represents a reduction of more than 90 million tons of CO2. Last year's achievement "is a testament from our customers to the quality, durability and reliability of our electrified powertrains," says Toyota Executive VP Shigeki Terashi, "and, thanks to them, has led us to establish a solid and sustainable foundation for mass producing a more diverse portfolio of electrified vehicles across our range moving forward." Other goals of Toyota's Environmental Challenge 2050 are 30,000 annual fuel cell vehicle sales by 2020, mass production of battery electric vehicles in 2020 and annual electrified vehicle sales of 5.5 million by 2030. These are all part of Toyota's larger goal of reducing new vehicle CO2 emissions by 90 percent by 2050 (compared to 2010). Prior to 2016, Toyota hybrid sales peaked in 2013, at 1.28 million before slumping slightly in 2014 and 2015. Toyota saw an uptick and a new record in 2016, at 1.4 million, before setting yet another record in 2017, at 1.52 million. Related Video:

We drive the Bronco Sport Sasquatch, Hummer EV SUV and more | Autoblog Podcast #846

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Road Test Editor Zac Palmer. Zac recently went down to Tennessee to drive a prototype of the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch. Meanwhile the two also spent time in the 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 and 2024 Lexus LS 500h out of the fleet in Michigan. In the news, Rivian deals with a fire at its Normal, Illinois plant, Formula 1 comes back strong, and Volkswagen prices the ID.Buzz. Lastly, the two debate what old, executive sedan you should buy in a Spend My Money segment. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #846 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Cars we're driving 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 2024 Lexus LS 500h News Fire at the Rivian factory Formula 1 is back Volkswagen ID.Buzz gets a very high price Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related Video:  We check out the Rivian R1S and R1T along with 3 other surprises This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is blissful, motoring beauty

Exquisite, grand, beautiful. Any of these words and more like them could be used to describe the 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible’s design. They also apply to the noise made by LexusÂ’ 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine. In fact, go down the list. The interior is just as stunning. Its handling defies the 4,557-pound curb weight. Sure, the infotainment system is hot garbage to use, but Â… who cares? Messing with a formula as perfect as the LC 500 Coupe is dicey business. That said, these designers already had one mic drop moment. WhatÂ’s a second with the Convertible? One look at the dazzling drop top is enough to turn anybody into a believer. The original LC was essentially just the LF-LC Concept brought to life in production form. Few (if any) designs of the past decade have transitioned so gloriously from the make-believe world of concept cars to production vehicles. Seeing the LC parked amongst Ford Explorers, Chevy Tahoes and other regular fare at a grocery store brings into focus how unprecedented the design is. It looks as though somebody ripped the car straight out of a fantasy novel and stuck it on city streets. The first time I drove the LC, some guy and his friend followed me for several miles until I arrived at my destination, just to scramble out of their car and get a closer look. ThatÂ’s the kind of car this is. Many years from now, there will be beautifully preserved examples of them sitting on the grass at concours shows across the country, rightfully taking its place as a shining example of peak car design from this era. And yes, those are heady words. But look at it! The Lexus spindle grille that looks so awkward and out of place on some Lexus models fits the LCÂ’s face. ItÂ’s complemented by a striking triangle-shaped triple-LED headlight design. Lexus designed the front LED daytime running lights to swoosh in the same shape and style of the grille, too. There are no obnoxious or unnecessary fake vents (looking at you, Supra). ItÂ’s not trying to be a muscle coupe with a super aggressive chin or bulging hood. The front is just clean, pointed perfection. ItÂ’s when we get to the A-pillar that the Convertible begins to diverge from the Coupe. Connecting to the top of the pillar is, well, a roof.