Toyota to Boost Hybrid Motor Production 30%

11 September 2005

Nikkei. Toyota will boost production of its motors for hybrids next year by 30% to keep up with rapidly rising demand.

The company will begin mass producing motors at its headquarters plant in Aichi Prefecture next year, increasing groupwide output to support 400,000 hybrid drivetrains per year.

Toyota anticipates its global hybrid sales to more than double to about 300,000 units this year. Production of motors and other core components is not keeping up with demand, resulting in ongoing delays in delivery.

As a short-term solution, Toyota is moving chassis production for its Land Cruiser SUV from the headquarters factory to a subsidiary plant, allowing the company to increase production lines for hybrid vehicle components—such as the Prius motors—at the main plant.

Toyota has also increased the output of its assembly plants, including the Tsutsumi plant near the headquarters factory.

Production of the Prius begins in China by year end. Next year, Toyota will begin assembling some 50,000 Camry hybrids per year at its Kentucky plant. (Earlier post.)

Toyota is targeting annual sales of 1 million hybrids by the early 2010s.

Separately, Toyota announced that it would increase production of the Vitz/Yaris (earlier post) in France 13% from 240,000 units per year to 270,000.