Toyota to build Prius in Thailand

Toyota today revealed it will begin manufacturing its Prius hybrid in Thailand starting from November this year. The car will be built at the firm's Gateway Plant, near the Thai capital Bangkok, where it also models like the Corolla, Camry, Camry Hybrid and others are manufactured. Apart from Thailand, the Prius is also being manufactured in Japan as wel as China.

The company said the decision was made as part of its effort to further popularize hybrid vehicles worldwide. Toyota did not reveal how many Prius vehicles will be built at the Thai plant, but a company spokesman said production is for the local market.

Launched in 1997, the Prius hybrids cumulative global sales surpassed the 2 million mark at the end of September this year. Toyota said it aims to sell 1 million hybrid vehicles or more annually before the end of the decade.