Toyota, the world’s largest car manufacturer announced today that they will launch its hybrid car 'Prius' in India early next year.

The announcement was done by the Vice-Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Kazuo Okamoto. Prius is the Toyota’s first and most successful hybrid passenger car. 

The vice chairman said that there are no plans yet to bring in a hybrid small car. Toyota is planning to launch a small car in the Indian market in 2011. 

Prius is the highest selling hybrid model of TMC with a cumulative global sale of over 1.4 million units since 2000. TMC currently has over a dozen hybrid models in its portfolio including, Prius, Camry, Highlander, Lexus, Crown, Estima and Harrier.

The Prius is a standalone hybrid car, which seamlessly integrates an electric motor that is powered by a Lithium-ion battery pack and a regular gasoline engine using Toyota’s proprietary Hybrid Synergy Drive system.

The car is likely to be imported in the CBU (completely built unit) form from Japan and marketed in India. It is an extremely low emission vehicle and it is expected to help Toyota make a statement regarding its environment-friendly technologies. Toyota claims that its CO2 emissions are 43 per cent lower, while being about 20-30 per cent more fuel-efficient than a similar petrol-powered car.

The company is currently working on a number of models including bio-fule, natural gas and hydrogen vehicles as part of its global strategy to grow in the alternative technology market.

The company had first ventured into hybrid vehicle segment in 1997 and in August this year surpassed the two million mark in overall global sales.

Best Selling Toyota Car Models:
Toyota Innova
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla Altis
Toyota Camry
Toyota Alphard
Toyota Prado
Toyota Landcruiser
Toyota Lexus

Related News:
Lexus launches two-seat supercar, the LFA
Toyota brand vehicle launches in South Korea
Toyota Motor launches luxury hybrid sedan 'SAI'
Toyota launches redesigned 'Mark X' in Japan

Related Books:
My Life Full of Cars
Ford in Touring Car Racing
Cosworth and Ford: The Road Cars

Add a comment

Posted by Naresh Koshti on 24 October, 2009 11:11:33 AM IST #