Toyota begins Prius hybrid assembly in China (Shenzhen Daily/Agencies) Updated: 2005-12-16 09:28
Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it began production of the Prius
hybrid car in China with local joint venture partner FAW Group as planned, with
an aim to sell 3,000 units in 2006.
Staff check the
Prius, a hybrid car that pairs both a petrol engine with a battery-powered
motor, produced by the joint venture of Japanese auto maker Toyota and the
First Automobile Works (FAW). The car, unveiled yesterday in Changchun,
capital of Northeast China's Jilin Province, is the first of its kind
manufactured by Toyota outside Japan.
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The move marks a significant first step in Toyota¡¯s aim to promote the
gasoline-electric vehicles in China, one of the world's biggest and
fastest-growing car markets, as it aims to make hybrids a global standard for
fuel-efficient vehicles.
It could also help China deal with pollution and energy shortage problems,
which it fears could slam the brakes on economic growth. Hybrids burn less fuel
by adding one or more electric motors to a standard petrol or diesel engine.
¡°In addition to China¡¯s new automobile policy that encourages the use of
hybrid vehicles, the introduction of emission regulations on par with those in
Europe and the United States is also moving forward,¡± Toyota quoted executive
vice president Yoshimi Inaba as saying during a ceremony at the plant in
Changchun, northeastern China.
¡°It is my strong wish that the Prius built here in Changchun will contribute
to the widespread use of hybrid vehicles in China,¡± he said. The production
marks the first time the popular sedan will be assembled outside Japan.
A few months ago, Volkswagen AG and General Motors Corp. also announced plans
to explore building hybrids in China with their local partners.
The Chinese-built Prius will be priced between 288,000 yuan and 302,000 yuan
(US$35,680-US$37,410), compared with around US$22,000 in Japan and North
America.
Toyota and FAW, Japan¡¯s and China¡¯s top automakers, had agreed in 2004 to
assemble the Prius in Changchun by the end of this year with complete knock-down
kits imported from Japan.
The China joint venture plant, Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor Co., held 50 percent
each by FAW and Toyota, also builds the Land Cruiser sport utility vehicle at
the Changchun site.
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