Akihiko Otsuka, chief engineer of the redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius, confirmed earlier this year that Toyota is working on a small gasoline-electric car that will be a spin-off of the Toyota Yaris. Now, according to Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun industry daily, Toyota is also working on a gasoline-electric hybrid version of the Auris hatchback for the UK in 2012.

Without citing any sources, the Japanese publication said that the Auris is due for a redesign in 2012 and that Toyota will also offer a hybrid variant that will be produced locally in Europe.

Toyota’s Auris was the company’s third-best-selling model in Europe during the first five months of 2009.

The No.1 Japanese automaker has a goal of selling 1 million hybrid vehicles annually within the next few years and wants to offer a hybrid variant of all its models by 2020.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters