Toyota expands its work and especially the assembly of hybrids. The Japanese manufacturer already builds Prius in Japan and China, Camry in the U.S. and now they want to start the production of new plug-in Auris hatchback in Burnaston, England by the middle of 2010.
Toyota Auris comes from Corolla family. It appeared in Europe as a gasoline car in spring 2007. This year models are powered by 1.3-liter four-cylinder gas engines with Toyota’s stop/start technology. After the customers get used to seeing Auris on the roads, the automaker will offer a hybrid version of it.
This gas-electric hatchback will be the first Toyota hybrid locally built in Europe. The engines for Auris cars will also originate in the U.K.: they are going to be brought from North Wales.
After everything gets settled with Auris deal, Toyota plans to expand its work even more: the Camry hybrids will be assembled in Thailand and Australia and Pruis will be produced in the U.S.