First Australian-built hybrid car launched
- Source: Xinhua
- [16:59 August 31 2009]
- Comments
Toyota officially launched the first Australian-built hybrid car on Monday as production began at its Altona assembly plant in Melbourne.
Last year the Australian Federal Government contributed 35 million Australian dollars (29.4 million US dollars) to help support Toyota's plans to build 10,000 Camry hybrids each year at the plant from 2010.
"The Hybrid Camry is a significant step towards a greener, more sustainable automotive industry," Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr said in a statement.
The car will give Australians a choice if they prefer a hybrid, he said.
"This is a major achievement for Toyota Australia - this plant is one of only five Toyota plants in the world making hybrid vehicles."
The Camry uses a four-cylinder petrol engine as well as an electric engine which the car reverts to when it is traveling slowly or is stationary.
Carr said it was another example of a greener Australian automotive industry that was introducing new technologies and products aimed at reducing fuel consumption and car emissions.
