Toyota said its decision to start making the Prius
Toyota, the world's No. 1 automaker, currently only manufacturers the Prius in
cleaning Japan after halting small-scale production in China. It ditched its plans to make the car in the U.S. after the financial crisis hit in 2008.
Toyota said its decision to start making the Prius in Thailand, starting next month, will help in its effort to make the technology widespread. Thailand, a production base in Southeast Asia for several major automakers, has been producing the Camry hybrid sedan for Toyota since 2009.
The Prius, which went on sale in 1997, is the most popular hybrid on the market, with cumulative global sales of more than 2 million vehicles.The car will be produced at the Gateway Plant, southeast of the Thai capital Bangkok, where the Corolla, Camry and other models are now being made.
