Toyota Plans Hybrid Vehicle Plant in Asia

Toyota Motor Corp. may consider setting up plants in Asian countries to produce its range of hybrid vehicles. Its president, Katsuaki Watanabe, said the decision would depend on the market in the region.

“We don’t have any immediate plans yet. The production of the vehicles involves very sophisticated machines,” he said. He went on to say that Toyota is considering making hybrids in Malaysia, but gave no timetable.

Since the 1997 release of the Prius, Toyota has sold some 470,000 units worldwide. They hope to sell a million by early 2010.