Toyota will produce hybrid cars in Europe for the first time
(AFP) - 2 days ago
TOKYO - Japan's largest automaker, Toyota Motor, announced on Friday that it will produce hybrid cars for the first time in Europe, a hybrid version of the Auris sedan that will be manufactured in the UK from the mid -2010.
This decision "constitutes the first materialization of Toyota's plan to develop its operations in Europe, distinguishing itself in this market thanks to the strength of its hybrid technologies," the group said in a statement.
The factories chosen, located in north-central England at Burnaston (assembly) and Deeside (engines), already manufacture the non-hybrid version of the "Auris", of which 37.000 units have been sold in Europe since its launch. in 2007. This sedan is also manufactured in a factory in Turkey.
The United Kingdom will be the 5e country where Toyota will produce hybrid cars, after Japan, the United States, China, Thailand and Australia.
Toyota's new CEO, Akio Toyoda, said in June that the group is betting heavily on hybrid cars, which are becoming increasingly popular in Japan and North America but are still not widely used in the old continent. which he considers very congested.
Toyota has the ambition to market hybrid versions of all of its models by 2020. The world automobile number one launched in May a third generation of its pioneer hybrid car, the "Prius", which is became the best-selling vehicle in Japan in May and June.
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