ID :
76008
Wed, 08/19/2009 - 11:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/76008
The shortlink copeid
Toyota eyes weekend output in Sept. on strong demand for Prius hybrid+
NAGOYA, Aug. 18 Kyodo - Toyota Motor Corp. plans to resume a weekend production schedule in September, following one it implemented in July, to meet strong demand for the remodeled
Prius hybrid car thanks to recent government tax breaks and subsidies for fuel-efficient cars, company officials said Tuesday.
Separately, Toyota said it has received domestic orders for around 10,000 units
of its first hybrid-only version of the luxury Lexus sedan -- the HS250h -- in
a month after its debut in mid-July, far eclipsing its monthly target of 500
units.
The automaker will have employees work during their days off on two Saturdays
in September -- Sept. 12 and 19 -- at its plant in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture,
the officials said.
After coordinating with the labor union, Japan's top automaker will make a
formal decision by the end of this month, they said.
In July, Toyota resumed weekend production for the first time since November
2007 to meet growing demand for the popular gasoline-electric Prius hybrid car.
In August, as it was customary, there was no weekend work.
Toyota rolled out a fully remodeled version of the hybrid Prius in mid-May with
a retail price starting from 2.05 million yen, nearly 300,000 yen less than the
previous lowest-end model, and with better fuel efficiency at 38 kilometers per
liter.
According to industry groups, the Prius hybrid car was Japan's best-selling
vehicle in July with sales of 27,712 units, clinching the No. 1 spot for the
second straight month.
Like the Prius, the HS250h has won fans with a starting price of 3.95 million
yen, the lowest for a Lexus brand, and is also eligible for the recent
government tax breaks and subsidies.
But the soaring orders has raised concerns about whether battery production can
keep up with the pace of demand especially at a time when the automaker is
making customers wait at least eight months for the delivery of its
best-selling Prius hybrid.
The delivery of the HS250h is expected to take at least six months until the
end of next February if customers order now, a Toyota official said.
The waiting period for the Lexus hybrid is slightly better than the Prius
because buyers will at least be able to receive government subsidies that
expire at the end of next March.
==Kyodo
Prius hybrid car thanks to recent government tax breaks and subsidies for fuel-efficient cars, company officials said Tuesday.
Separately, Toyota said it has received domestic orders for around 10,000 units
of its first hybrid-only version of the luxury Lexus sedan -- the HS250h -- in
a month after its debut in mid-July, far eclipsing its monthly target of 500
units.
The automaker will have employees work during their days off on two Saturdays
in September -- Sept. 12 and 19 -- at its plant in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture,
the officials said.
After coordinating with the labor union, Japan's top automaker will make a
formal decision by the end of this month, they said.
In July, Toyota resumed weekend production for the first time since November
2007 to meet growing demand for the popular gasoline-electric Prius hybrid car.
In August, as it was customary, there was no weekend work.
Toyota rolled out a fully remodeled version of the hybrid Prius in mid-May with
a retail price starting from 2.05 million yen, nearly 300,000 yen less than the
previous lowest-end model, and with better fuel efficiency at 38 kilometers per
liter.
According to industry groups, the Prius hybrid car was Japan's best-selling
vehicle in July with sales of 27,712 units, clinching the No. 1 spot for the
second straight month.
Like the Prius, the HS250h has won fans with a starting price of 3.95 million
yen, the lowest for a Lexus brand, and is also eligible for the recent
government tax breaks and subsidies.
But the soaring orders has raised concerns about whether battery production can
keep up with the pace of demand especially at a time when the automaker is
making customers wait at least eight months for the delivery of its
best-selling Prius hybrid.
The delivery of the HS250h is expected to take at least six months until the
end of next February if customers order now, a Toyota official said.
The waiting period for the Lexus hybrid is slightly better than the Prius
because buyers will at least be able to receive government subsidies that
expire at the end of next March.
==Kyodo
