The brand grew its sales by 7% last year, from 8,404 in 2012 to 9,014 in 2013, and has plans to grow even further during 2014. A refreshed CT 200h, the first full year of the IS 300h and GS 300h are expected to contribute to predicted sales of over 10,000 units over the next 12 months.

Lexus introduced its first four-cylinder IS hybrid last summer, and the model accounts for around 88% of the new car’s UK sales. Last year, these totalled 1,979, an 89% rise on 2012, with a bias towards the fleet sector the new model had targeted at launch. The RX 450h hybrid SUV, which was refreshed in 2013, also recorded a 7% year-on-year sales increase.

With hybrid drivetrains available across the Lexus range, 75% of all UK sales were hybrids during 2013. The carmaker has also shown a ‘production-ready’ RC concept, based on the new IS and sharing the 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain, which is likely to join the range shortly.

Sister brand Toyota is also enjoying a surge in hybrid demand. The new Auris recorded a 64.2% year-on-year sales rise during 2013, and 40% were the hybrid version. At 6,160 sales, the Auris Hybrid is the biggest-selling hybrid in the UK, and the drivetrain is the most popular offered in the Touring Sports – shifting more than twice as many examples as the petrol and diesel variants.