Japanese carmaker Toyota has confirmed it will start making a hybrid model of its Auris hatchback in the UK from the middle of 2010.
The car will be produced at Toyota’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, using engines made in Deeside, Flintshire the company said.
Hybrid versions of other Toyota models are made in the US and Japan but none are manufactured in the UK.
Toyota has targeted the hybrid market, as interest in greener cars has grown.
Reports had suggested that Toyota would start making the new model around 2012.
“The decision to build the hybrid Auris at Toyota UK represents the first materialisation of Toyota’s plan to further its business operations in Europe and distinguish itself in that market through the strengths of its hybrid technology,” the firm said in a statement.
Hybrid cars are powered by both by petrol and electricity.
Earlier this month, figures showed that Toyota’s Prius had become the first hybrid car to outsell all other vehicles in Japan.
Source: BBC News
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