Toyota Announces Auris Hybrid for European Market, Sales to Start in Mid-2010

Toyota has confirmed plans to launch a full-hybrid version of its Golf-sized Auris hatchback for the European market in mid-2010. According to the Japanese firm, the Auris Hybrid will be built at its UK-based facility in Burnaston, Derbyshire. The company did not release any technical information but chances are that the Auris will make use of a similar, if not the same, hybrid drivetrain system to the new Prius that combines a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors.

"With today's announcement, Toyota has taken a significant step forward in ensuring that full hybrids become more accessible to a wider range of customers," said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and President of Toyota Europe. "Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads," he added.

In other words, it's safe to assume that the Auris Hybrid will be priced much lower than the Prius, giving Honda's newly introduced Insight Hybrid a run for its money.

The Auris is Toyota's proposal in the all-important for the European market C-segment rivaling the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Renault Megane, Ford Focus and Opel Astra. It was launched into the European market in the Spring of 2007 replacing the three- and five-door hatchback variants of the Corolla. Since then, it has sold over 370,000 units across the continent.

The Auris is offered with various powertrains in Europe including the newly introduced 101HP 1.33-liter gasoline engine that returns 5.8lt/100km or 40.6mpg US in the European cycle and a range-topping 2.2-liter turbo diesel with 175HP for the sporty Auris SR180 (pictured here) that returns an average of 6.0lt/100km or 39.2mpg.

Toyota Builds One Millionth Vehicle in Turkey

Toyota announced today that cumulative production at its manufacturing plant in Turkey reached one-million vehicles. The milestone that coincides with the start of production of Toyota's third generation Verso MPV, at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT), comes 15 years after the plant produced its first car in 1994. The plant today employs some 3,000 workers and includes the production of the Auris, as well as Verso, in its production portfolio.

The Japanese firm's Turkish plant will support a full-year European sales target of 55,000 units of the new Verso that will go on sale this April.

Speaking ahead of the celebrative event, Hiroyuki Ochiai, Executive Vice-President of TME said: "Toyota's operations in Europe have benefited from an extremely rewarding partnership with Turkey. Thanks to the commitment of a highly-skilled local workforce, Toyota is now one of Turkey's biggest automotive exporters. This is a great achievement, and particularly significant in light of current, tough market conditions."

Toyota Auris TR

Besides Toyota Auris SR, Toyota has launched another Auris which is Toyota Auris TR.

There are few variety choices for the engine. Consumers may choose either 1.4 and 1.6 VVT-i petrol or 2.0 D-4D 130 diesel engines with an optional MultiMode transmission available for the 1.6 version.

Built on a new platform, Auris is available in 3 doors and 5 doors body styles and with a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines, three transmissions and four model grades: T2, T3, T Spirit and the flagship T180. Sales start on 1 February, with T180 and three-door models joining the line-up from 1 April.

Toyota Auris SR

Recently Toyota has launched Toyota Auris SR180 which this Auris SR is powered by either a 1.6L Dual VVT-i petrol engine or a 2.0L D-4D 130 diesel engine.

Consumers can either choose 3-doors or 5-doors for their Toyota Auris. This Toyota Auris is come with 17-inches alloy wheels, rear spoiler, dark-tinted wind screen, 9 airbags, 6 speakers surround sound system and leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio control.