First Australian-built hybrid car launched

• Source: Xinhua
• [08:26 September 01 2009]
• Comments

Toyota officially launched the first Australian-built hybrid car 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) 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.