Published on15/10/2010
Toyota to make Prius model in Thailand Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) has confirmed that it will soon produce the latest model of the Prius hybrid in Thailand, the second petrol-electric car made in the kingdom following the hybrid version of the Camry sedan. In addition to meeting domestic demand, the Prius will be exported to meet rising demand in Asian markets. The local subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp confirmed the Prius hybrid would debut next month in the Thai market. TMT president Kyoichi Tanada will announce the details of the Thai-built Prius at a soft launch on Oct 21. Toyota launched the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid car, in 1997. Batteries and engines will be supplied from Japan to the factory in Thailand. Thailand will be the third country to make the Prius hybrid after Japan and China. The world's largest automaker has sold 1 million hybrids in Japan and 1.68 million abroad since the 1997 launch. Nine Toyota hybrid car models and three hybrid commercial vehicles are sold in Japan, while eight hybrid models are sold overseas.
Published on15/10/2010
Last year, Toyota recalled 400,000 Prius units and other hybrid vehicles to repair a flaw in the braking system. However, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association reports the car remains popular.