TOKYO — Toyota may build its planned Yaris Hybrid in Japan and Europe to meet growing demand for gas-electric hybrids in both markets, according to Japan's Asahi newspaper. The automaker plans to launch the Yaris Hybrid in late 2011, priced from less than $16,000, the paper said.
The small hybrid, which will be derived from the next-generation Yaris/Vitz, would be aimed at the upcoming Honda Fit Hybrid that is due in Japan next year. Asahi said the Yaris Hybrid will use a lower-cost and more efficient hybrid system than the one used in the latest version of the Toyota Prius.
Toyota earlier this month said it would build its first hybrid model in Europe, a gas-electric edition of the compact Auris hatchback, at its U.K. plant in mid-2010.
The Yaris Hybrid will be a size smaller than the Auris, which shares its platform with the Corolla and is expected to use a lithium-ion battery pack.
Inside Line says: Look for the Yaris Hybrid to reach the States in 2012. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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