Industry 1st: Certified Program for Hybrids

In an industry first, factory-certified hybrid-electric vehicles are being sold through a new program launched by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

The all-new Toyota Certified Used Hybrid program is an extension of the Toyota Certified Used Vehicles brand which provides added inspection and warranty coverage on certified used Toyota hybrids.

“The program is a great way to increase awareness of certified used hybrid vehicles,” says Steve Gallagher, the new venture's marketing manager. “As more hybrids enter the used-vehicle marketplace, Toyota Certified Hybrids offer high-quality options to customers interested in purchasing these fuel-efficient vehicles.”

It's the industry's first dedicated certified pre-owned program for hybrid vehicles, and was designed to drive sales of certified used hybrids while expanding Toyota's customer base for these types of vehicles.

Each vehicle comes with the three-month/3,000-mile comprehensive warranty, seven-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and roadside assistance plan offered on traditional certified Toyota models.

The program also brings added awareness to a pre-existing eight-year/100,000-mile factory hybrid battery warranty, Gallagher says.

There are 14 additional HEV inspection points beyond the current 160-point quality-assurance inspection. The enhanced inspection includes examination of key hybrid components, such as the hybrid transaxle, control modules and battery.