Toyota Begins Production of Current Model 'Prius' in China

Toyota City, Japan, December 19, 2011―Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., a joint vehicle-production company established with China FAW Group Corporation in China's Sichuan Province, began production today of the third-generation "Prius" gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle at its Changchun Plant. Sales of the vehicle will begin in early 2012.

Production of the Prius began in China in 2005, marking the first time the vehicle was produced outside Japan. In 2010, GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. in Guangdong Province began production of the "Camry Hybrid" sedan.

In October at a cornerstone-laying ceremony for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (China) Co., Ltd.'s R&D Center in Changshu, TMC announced plans to further localize production of hybrid technologies in China. At the ceremony, President Akio Toyoda stated TMC's intent to create a development group for the production of Chinese-made hybrid vehicles and to realize the localized production of hybrid system components by around 2015.

TMC, based on its founding philosophy of contributing to society through the manufacture of automobiles, dedicates itself to producing ever-better cars for the benefit of consumers and society and for the development of the automobile industry in China.