Toyota to Start Trials of Plug-in Prius in China

Nikkei. Toyota wants to begin trials of its plug-in hybrid vehicles in China as soon as possible, according to Takeshi Uchiyamada, a Toyota executive vice president, speaking at a press conference at Auto China 2010 in Beijing.

The Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid is making its China debut at Auto China 2010. Toyota is also showing the FT-CH compact hybrid (Asia debut), the FT-EV II electric vehicle with newly developed motor and lithium-ion battery (China debut), and the FT-86 rear-wheel-drive compact sports car (China debut).

The Japanese car maker sold 709,000 vehicles in 2009 in China, up 21%. For 2010, it is targeting a 13% growth in sales to 800,000 vehicles despite its recent recalls. Sales in the first two months of this year grew 43% on year to 117,000 vehicles.

In January, the auto maker issued a recall notice for 75,552 RAV4 sport-utility vehicles in China due to faulty gas pedals.