Long-established as the global leader in hybrid vehicle technology, Toyota plans to double its hybrid production by 2011. Toyota produced about 500,000 hybrid vehicles in 2009 and is hoping to boost that total to 1 million units by 2011.
Toyota had previously stated it hoped to sell more than 1 million hybrid vehicles annually by early this decade, but a report in Japan’s Nikkei business daily indicates that goal could be achieved much sooner than expected. According to the newspaper, Toyota will ramp up its hybrid production to 1 million units by next year.
Toyota’s hybrid efforts will be anchored by its popular Prius model but will also include about 10 new hybrid models. Toyota will soon begin producing a hybrid version of its Auris model in the UK and recently showed the production-intent FT-CH hybrid concept at the Detroit Auto Show.
Toyota’s hybrid offerings have proven to be popular in the United States, but are enjoying an even greater amount of success in Japan. Thanks to a government-sponsored incentive program, the Toyota Prius took home the title of Japan’s best-selling car for 2009.
