OREANDA-NEWS. The company "Toyota Motor" in 2014 sold in Russia 181,103 Toyota and Lexus - it is more by 6.2% than a year before. The share of "Toyota Motor" was 7.3% (1.1% in 2013) in the Russian market the last year, which is the best indicator since the company was founded in Russia in 2002.

"Despite the fact that 2014 was a year of tumultuous economic turmoil, our company has managed not only to keep its market position, but also to achieve record market share for "Toyota Motor" and demonstrate a decent dynamics in 2014", - says the president of "Toyota Motor", Hidenori Ozaki. - "It once again proves that the unique premium-mass positioning of brand Toyota and rejuvenation strategy of Lexus brand in Russia is deeply rooted in the market and it helps to strengthen the company's position. "

In 2014, the share of Toyota brand in the Russian market has returned to record that was set in 2008, and it was 6.5%. During the previous recession in the market, the share of Toyota fell by almost 2% (from 6.5% in 2008 to 4.7% in 2009). In 2014, by contrast, the share of Toyota rose by 0.9% compared with 2013 year. Sales of Toyota vehicles in Russia were 161,954 units the last year; it is less by 4.6% compared with 2013 year. High figure is, first of all, due to market success of Camry (share in sales of Toyota in Russia in 2014 - is 21%) and popularity of off-road model range of Toyota (55% of sales of the brand). The most popular models of Toyota in 2014 became RAV4 (38,919 units), Camry (34,117 units) and Corolla (27,704 units).

"Sales of new Toyota vehicles increased by 4.6% in 2014 compared with the previous year, despite the economic turmoil. We learned a lot during previous crises in the market: we have revised model range of Toyota in Russia and focus on crossovers, SUVs and sedans of business class, we improved the efficiency of doing business in "Toyota Motor" and the dealer network. Due to this dynamics of sales Toyota is always higher than the market. In 2014, the market share of the Toyota brand was 6.5%. This is a record for us, which was recorded before only in the peak in 2008, "- said vice-president of "Toyota Motor", Fumitaka Kawashima.

Successful launch of new models and kits, meet the needs of Russian customers, have significantly contributed to the positive dynamics of the business of Toyota in Russia in 2014. Thus, in November of 2014 in Russia it was the launch of a new Toyota Camry. Camry is a key model of Toyota in Russia, providing 21% of total brand sales of the last year. Demand for the Camry in 2014 rose by 3.7% compared with 2013 year, sales were 34,117 cars. Toyota Camry has retained its leading position in its class with a share of 38% in the segment. Camry is the bestselling business-class sedans in the Russian automotive market for 6 consecutive years.

SUVs and crossovers Toyota provided 55% of total sales of the brand in 2014. This, in particular, it was contributed by the successful launch of new models. In 2014, the new generation of Toyota Highlander became available to Russian customers, as well as a special series Toyota Land Cruiser 200 "Brownstone" and a complete set of new profitable bestseller RAV4. The most dynamic sales growth against 2013 in the Toyota model range was shown by Highlander (+ 87%) and Land Cruiser Prado (+ 20%). In 2014, Toyota Highlander (13548 units), Land Cruiser Prado (17369 units) and Venza (5175 units) established sales records in the history of the presence of these models in the Russian market. Toyota RAV4 (10% in the segment) and Land Cruiser 200 (47% in the segment) reached a leading position in their classes in the last year.

In addition, in 2014 in the Russian market, there were appeared new youth configurations Toyota Corolla "Style" and "Style Plus", Verso with panoramic roof and updated sports coupe GT86.

In 2014, the Toyota Hilux pickup was number one in its segment and it has demonstrated a record high sales. Through the dealer network of Toyota in Russia it was sold 6790 Hilux cars.

For the brand, Lexus in Russia in 2014 became the most successful in history. Sales reached a record level of 19,149 vehicles (+ 21.4%). The previous record for the number of sold cars was established in 2013 (15,768 units). Lexus market share in the premium segment in Russia in the past increased to 8.9% (+ 1.5% compared with 2013 year), the share of the market as a whole was 0.8% (+ 0.2%).

"2014 was a record year for the Lexus brand in terms of sales. Lexus sales growth in 2014 was 21.4% compared with 2013 year. Amazing dynamics is associated with a strong product line of Lexus, the strengthening of the dealer network and the increasing of popularity of presented sedans and SUVs RX and GX 460 in 2013. Also in 2014, we began sales of new models and special series with additional options at reasonable prices. Along with the launch of new models, in 2014, we have updated showrooms of dealers and we brought to new level the process of buying of Lexus cars", - says the managing director of "Toyota Motor" by Sales and Marketing of Lexus and by Marketing of Toyota, John Thomson.

Lexus introduced the strategy of rejuvenating of the brand, under which there are appeared several new and updated models. The main novelty of the year for Lexus in Russia has become a compact crossover premium NX in versions of NX 200, NX 200 AWD and NX 300h. In the first quarter of 2015, the car with a turbocharged engine NX 200t joined the model line of crossover. NX has a great potential and it will be the "locomotive" of the brand in 2015.

In 2014, it was sold 627 cars Lexus NX, which is a good indicator for the new model. Among other new cars of Lexus - the new model CT 200h, and a special version of RX, GS and ES. In 2014, a new version of the five-seat SUV GX 460 became available for Russian buyers. In addition, at the Moscow International Motor Show, it was the premiere of a new dynamic premium coupe RC and "charged" sports coupe RC F.

The best-selling Lexus model in Russia in 2014 became the RX (6690 units), ES (2871 units) and LX (2987 units). Despite difficult market conditions, in 2014 Lexus sedans demonstrated record high sales for Russia. Total sales of sedans IS, ES and GS were 6219 sold vehicles against 4317 in 2013 (+ 144%). The GX and RX 460 also demonstrated good results in sales - their combined sales reached 9022 sold cars against 7356 cars in 2013 (+ 122%).