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Toyota said today that it will introduce its first lithium-ion battery powered plug-in hybrid by 2010. We already know that Toyota will introduce the third-generation Prius and a Lexus hybrid-only model at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. But taking the stage with those two will be Toyota’s first plug-in hybrid at the show.

The automaker didn’t give any details about the upcoming plug-in hybrid but said that it will be larger than the Prius. “It’s a totally new car,” said Masatami Takimoto, executive vice president in charge of r&d.

Takimoto also said that Toyota will stick with nickel-metal hydride battery for the redesign Prius.

Toyota is teaming up with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., which makes Panasonic products, will begin the production of the lithium-ion batteries in 2009 and move into full-scale production in 2010.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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