For the first time in Toyota’s history, Europe is going to be the place to manufacture hybrid Toyota cars beginning around the middle of next year.
As the world’s largest hybrid automaker, Toyota wants to gain momentum by expanding its market for hybrid cars in Britain and the surrounding areas. Currently, Toyota cars only make up about a five percent share of the entire auto market in that region.
When the $32 million switch occurs, the UK will be the fifth nation outside Japan to manufacture hybrid Toyota cars. China and the United States are currently manufacturing the fuel-efficient Toyota cars while the automaker has plans to do the same in Thailand next month and in Australia next year.
The initiative to make hybrid Toyota cars in Europe took precedence last month when the automaker’s new president – Akio Toyoda – announced that he wanted to promote fuel efficiency in Europe where customers typically purchase diesel-powered cars when they are searching for fuel economy. The hybrid cars will present another viable option for these consumers.
Toyota also plans to have a hybrid version of every vehicle in its lineup within the next ten years. For now, batteries and motors will still be manufactured in Japan and shipped to the UK for installation in the new cars.