Toyota to Boost Production of Hybrid, Electric Autos

VOA Breaking News (Voice of America)
November 18, 2010 at 9:50 am

Japanese automaker Toyota says it will introduce a new line of environmentally friendly vehicles in 2012.

The company announced Thursday it will sell a rechargeable gasoline-electric hybrid car in Japan, Europe and the United States, with a goal of selling 50,000 models each year at a price of $36,000.

The vehicle will differ from Toyota’s existing Prius hybrid in that it can be plugged in to a source of electricity, allowing it to run longer without burning gasoline.

The world’s number-one automaker also says it will add 11 new hybrid models by the end of 2012, as well as an all-electric sports utility vehicle it is developing with U.S.-based Tesla Motors.

It is considering selling such vehicles in China.

Toyota is boosting production of environmentally friendly vehicles to meet the demands of governments and consumers, and to compete with rivals such as Nissan and General Motors, which have introduced all-electric vehicles.

Toyota introduced its first hybrid vehicle, the Prius, in 1997. Hybrids combine gasoline engines, powerful batteries and electric motors to achieve high fuel efficiency.

It is also developing a vehicle powered by hydrogen-filled fuel cells that will be introduced in 2015.

Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP, Bloomberg and Reuters.