Toyota EVs Gain Ground as Sales Jump 57% This Quarter
While other automakers pull back on electric vehicles, Toyota is accelerating forward with six new EV models flying off the lots. The company's electric and hybrid vehicles now make up more than half of all sales.
Toyota just proved that the electric vehicle market isn't shrinking—it's shifting to brands that people trust.
While General Motors blamed a "smaller EV market" for a 6% sales drop last quarter, Toyota's vehicle sales actually climbed. The Japanese automaker sold 633,233 vehicles in the third quarter of 2026, closing the gap with GM's 671,000 units.
The real story is what's powering that growth. Toyota's electrified vehicles (including pure electric, plug-in hybrids, and regular hybrids) now account for 57.4% of total sales. That's more than half of every Toyota rolling off dealer lots.
Toyota's bZ electric SUV has become one of America's most popular EVs, ranking fourth nationwide in early 2026. With nearly 25,000 units sold through September, it's outselling GM's flagship Chevy Equinox EV, which moved only 18,154 units in the same period.
The company now offers five fully electric SUVs across its Toyota and Lexus brands: the bZ, C-HR, bZ Woodland, Lexus RZ, and Lexus ES EV. Starting at $35,000, the bZ sits alongside the Chevy Bolt as one of America's most affordable electric vehicles.
The Ripple Effect
Toyota's success shows what happens when automakers meet customers where they are. Instead of betting everything on one electric model, they're offering choices at different price points with the reliability Toyota buyers expect.
The momentum extends beyond the showroom floor. On Thursday, Toyota opened its new Battery Center of North America in Saline, Michigan—a 30,000-square-foot facility dedicated to developing and testing next-generation batteries.
Two more three-row electric SUVs are coming soon: the 2027 Lexus TZ later this year and the Toyota Highlander BEV in 2027. These larger family vehicles could attract even more buyers making the switch from gas-powered SUVs.
The timing makes Toyota's success even more impressive. These sales happened after the $7,500 federal tax credit expired last September, proving that buyers want these vehicles even without government incentives.
Electric vehicles aren't failing—they're finally finding the right fit with the right brands.
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Based on reporting by Google News - Electric Vehicle
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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