Realigning production: Toyota to end Chinese output of Prius hybrid

Realigning production: Toyota to end Chinese output of Prius hybrid

NAGOYA — Toyota Motor will stop building the Prius hybrid in China and switch to domestic production as part of efforts to raise efficiency.

     The company plans to make the shift when it releases the next-generation Prius, which will initially go on sale in Japan this December.

     Toyota has manufactured Priuses in Changchun, Jilin Province, since 2005 via a joint venture with local auto giant FAW Group. The facility has churned out the current generation since 2011. But sluggish sales have pushed down its output to just a few dozen a month.

     The Japanese automaker decided to consolidate Prius production into two Aichi Prefecture plants for export worldwide.

     In China, Toyota is developing core components for a hybrid Corolla compact that will hit the market this year. Combining this with the Japanese supply of the new Prius, the company plans to rebuild hybrid sales in the Chinese market.

     In Thailand, Toyota is embroiled in a tariff-related dispute with authorities over parts imports. The automaker will terminate Prius production and marketing at the end of the month amid sluggish sales.

(Nikkei)

Realigning production: Toyota to end Chinese output of Prius hybrid