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Toyota to build Prius in the US
(Evening Standard (London) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jul. 11--TOYOTA, caught by surprise by the runaway popularity of its hybrid petrol-electric, will begin building them in the US after stocks have sold out.
In a stark sign Americans really are abandoning their gas-guzzlers, it is to begin making the low-emissions car on a Mississippi site formerly earmarked for the Highlander sport utility vehicle.
Sales of the Prius in North America fell 26 percent last month because dealers sold out as petrol prices rose. Toyota hopes to plug the gap with the new production line. The move by Americans away from their fuel-guzzling giant cars has hammered sales of GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler, and put Toyota within sight of becoming the biggest-selling US brand.
The Japanese firm has not been immune from the US downturn, and has made some wrong bets -- notably with the Tundra pick-up truck. That led to a 6 percent drop in first-half sales in the US.
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