The Toyota site in Onnaing (North), the largest automobile factory in France, celebrated its five millionth car produced at the end of November 2024 since its opening in 2001. But it can also pride itself on being the manufacturer of the car no longer manufactured in France in 2024. With 206,679 examples designed last year, it is the Toyota Yaris Cross which slips to the top of the podium, according to data published Monday January 13 by the Inovev firm.
The model, with a hybrid engine, had already been at the top of the ranking since 2022. This year, its sales are up 3.3%, allowing it to be well ahead of the second most produced car: the Peugeot 3008 SUV With 127,017 units in 2024 compared to 111,415 the previous year, this model increases by 14%. Peugeot also obtained third place on the podium with the compact Peugeot 308, sold more than 92,000 units. On the purchasing side, the Toyota Yaris Cross achieves its best sales in Italy (20% of model sales), France (17.6%), Germany (17.3%) and England (11%).
New electric model
Toyota saw its new car registrations increase by more than 15% in 2024, to 573,000 units. After having long focused on hybrids like the Yaris Cross, Toyota, the world's number one automobile manufacturer, was lagging behind in electric vehicles. Last November, the Japanese brand launched its second 100% battery vehicle in Europe.
Made in India, this Urban Cruiser will be marketed in 2025. Presented as a future competitor to the Peugeot e-2008, or Renault Capture, this new model illustrates the Japanese giant's range expansion strategy. « By 2026, Toyota will have 15 zero-emission vehicles in its range in Europe, including six 100% battery-electric models »assures the group. Toyota is not yet specifying the price of its Urban Cruiser, which is currently being presented to the public at the Brussels Auto Show.
