Prius lovers can now witness Toyota’s latest innovative hybrid vehicle! Toyota will display a prototype plug-in Prius hybrid at Legislative Plaza today during a field hearing on electric drive vehicles named for by the Congressional TVA Caucus. The model Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) develops the elevated fuel economy and ultra-low emissions of the world-renowned Toyota Prius production hybrid model. It will surface with a developed Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery pack that can be charged by plugging into a usual house electrical outlet. The Prius plug-in can operate in pure-electric manner for extended periods of time and at speeds up to 60 mph with added electric reserved power.

By 2010, Toyota will have its next generation plug-in hybrid with Lithium-Ion batteries being tested by commercial fleets in the U.S. and elsewhere. With over 1.5 million hybrid sales worldwide, Toyota is the established leader in hybrid technology.

"As we look ahead, we believe hybrids will continue to raise the bar for new technology. Plug-in hybrids can offer substantial gains in fuel economy and a reduction in total tailpipe emissions," explains Robert Wimmer, Toyota's national manager for Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Energy & Environmental Research.

"When considering the benefit of new technologies, we must understand the relationship between large sales volumes and fuel savings. For example, if we double sales of a hybrid model, the fuel savings is greater than doubling its fuel economy with no change in sales volume. Therefore, it is critical that new technologies, such as plug-ins and fuel cells are introduced at a price point and utility that allow for high volume sales. Otherwise, their environmental benefit will be negligible," Wimmer added.

The results are out, and once again, Toyota took charge in the latest South Africa Automotive Customer Satisfaction Index Study! Toyota and Honda models notched four segment honors each. According to the latest J.D. Power and Associates/CAR Magazine 2007 South Africa Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Study(SM), both earned more awards than any other auto manufacturer.

“Honda and Toyota models continue their strong performance in satisfying customers in South Africa," said Brian Walters, the vice president of J.D. Power and Associates Europe Middle East and Africa operations. "In both 2006 and 2007, four Toyota models ranked highest in their respective segments, while Honda has led in nameplate rankings in both years. These results are a testament to the commitment to high quality that both brands demonstrate. In addition, Mercedes-Benz maintains its ranking in the top five for a second consecutive year and improves in an impressive manner since 2006."

According to the Auto Channel, CR-V, Civic, FR-V and Jazz were the Honda models that earned the highest honors. On the other hand, Toyota's Avensis, Hilux, Land Cruiser Prado and Tazz are the highest ranked models in their particular segments.

"The consistent improvement in overall satisfaction in the South Africa market is good news for consumers, franchised dealers and manufacturers," said Walters. "However, there is still significant room for improvement. While customers seem to be more satisfied with vehicle quality and reliability as well as vehicle appeal, service satisfaction and ownership cost satisfaction levels are not on par."

"We are pleased to publish the latest independent J.D. Power and Associates South Africa CSI research findings, covering the overall vehicle ownership experience," said John Bentley, the editor of CAR Magazine. "These findings provide our readers with quantified information from current owners, further assisting them with their vehicle purchase decisions."

Toyota Motor Corporation with its Prius has popularized the hybrid technology but for the coming New Year, the automaker has set a slightly higher projection by selling a million hybrid cars every year after 2010.

Despite the fact that Toyota is not the first automaker to offer hybrid vehicle, it was the most aggressive promoter of such technology. The hybrid Prius was able to sell around 1.25 million units since its introduction in 1997.

Toyota is also thinking of hitting sales of one million per year. With the present prices of fuel it’s not inconceivable that Toyota will hit its million sales goals. The automaker has also announced that it plans to equip each of its vehicle with a hybrid drivetrain comes 2020. However the internal combustion is not yet perfected which means that it will take a while before Toyota can finally implement its plan of equipping all of its vehicles with a hybrid drivetrain.

Toyota Motor Corporation has recently started the production of the Camry at its facility in Shushary district in St. Petersburg, Russia. This facility was established in Russia in May 2005. Its initial annual production capacity is 50,000 vehicles with the first full-year production set at 20,000 units. The total investment of Toyota in the plant reached $200 million.

According to Katsuaki Watanabe, President of Toyota, "The reason we have been able to successfully commence production is that a team made up of Russians and Japanese had the enthusiasm to clear numerous obstacles and overcome adversity."

And speaking of Toyota plant, the automaker is planning to build an environmentally-friendly plant in Blue Springs by 2010 that is basing on the news release from Gov. Haley Barbour’s office.

It was on Christmas day that Toyota announced the designation of four production subsidiaries that will serve as model plants for carrying out “sustainable plant” activities with nature as the core theme.

Toyota has three objectives and these are:

• Achieving groundbreaking environmental performance by introducing innovative technology and kaizen (improvement) activities.
• Reducing CO2 by using renewable energy, including biomass and natural energy sources, such as solar power and wind power.
• Contributing to the local community and conserving the environment by planting trees.

The Blue Springs plant will join other environmentally-friendly plants of Toyota in Japan, United Kingdom, France, and Thailand.