News Summary: Toyota hybrid sales pass 5 million

MAJOR MILEPOST: Toyota's global sales of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles have surpassed 5 million with hybrid vehicles now accounting for 14 percent of Toyota global sales and 40 percent of sales in Japan.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: Toyota started selling the Prius, the world's first mass produced hybrid passenger car, in 1997. Gas-electric hybrids deliver fuel efficiency by switching back and forth between a gasoline engine and electric motor.

DOWN THE ROAD: Toyota sells 19 hybrid passenger car models and one plug-in hybrid, and it is promising 18 new hybrids through the end of 2015.