toyota to build hybrids in australia from 2010

Looks like more demand for RLL Lithium....

Car industry given hybrid hope - 7 June 2008 01:58pm

TOYOTA will start producing hybrid cars in Australia amid growing demand for the fuel-efficient vehicles in the wake of record high oil prices, according to local media reports.

The Japanese auto giant plans to make the Toyota Camry Hybrid in Australia in 2010 by using existing production lines for its standard Camry model, the Nikkei business daily said. It would also start production at its Thailand plant, scheduled for later this year, it said.

Toyota aims to lift production of hybrid vehicles to 10,000 units within three to four years at both the Australian and Thai plants.

The news comes as the Rudd Government urges the nation's car industry to adapt to climate change.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi planned to launch an eco-friendly electric vehicle based on its subcompact small car in Japan next year, Nikkei said.

Annual output is estimated at 2000 cars at the start and will be raised to 10,000 in 2011, it said. Exports were to start in 2010 to Britain, France and other parts of Europe as well as to Australia, Singapore and the United States, it said.

Get ready for fuel at $2-a-litre