Toyota to increase Prius output by 70%

Toyota sold 281,300 Prius hybrid models in 2007 after not having enough units in its inventory to meet demand from consumers. According to the Nikkan Kogyo , Toyota won’t be making that mistake again.

The industry daily reported today that Toyota plans on producing 70 percent more Prius models to 480,000 units after it is redesigned next year. Currently Toyota builds the Prius at its Tsutsumi factory in central Japan and another plant belonging to Toyota Auto Body. It also produced about 320 units in China last year.

Toyota announced earlier this month that it will also build the Prius at its Blue Springs plant in Mississippi with production set to begin 2010. Toyota said that it will be in a better position to respond to the increased demand hybrid vehicles.

The no.1 Japanese automaker is hoping to sell 1 million hybrid cars annually after 2010 – double of what it sold last year.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)