Toyota Motor Corp. announced a nearly 5% year-over-year increase in global sales in April.

The automaker attributes the spike to stronger demand for hybrid and gasoline-powered vehicles in Japan and China.

The Japanese automaker also reported improved overseas sales of battery electric vehicles, surpassing 2022’s results for the first four months of the year.

Toyota sold 800,863 vehicles worldwide in April, including its luxury brand Lexus. That marks a 4.9% increase a year earlier, when sales were heavily impacted by parts supply shortages driven by the pandemic.

Hybrid sales, such as the new Prius, surged in Japan, recording a 59.2% year-over-year jump. Hybrids accounted for over half of the 125,326 vehicles sold in the domestic market in April, outpacing the 21.5% overall rise in Toyota's domestic car sales.

In China, Toyota saw a 46.3% year-over-year increase in sales, reaching 162,554 units. The sales recovery reflects a rebound from the pandemic-related challenges experienced in the previous year.

The automaker also achieved a significant milestone, selling 8,584 battery EVs globally, including those under the Lexus brand. That accounts for over 1% of Toyota's global sales in a single month, marking the first time the automaker surpassed that threshold. Toyota sold a total of 26,057 battery-powered vehicles from January to April, surpassing the 24,466 battery EVs sold in 2022.

Toyota's robust April sales performance shows growing demand for hybrid and gasoline-powered vehicles in Japan and China. The automaker’s increased focus on battery EVs is also paying off with rising sales, contributing to a positive start to the year.