The first Chinese-built Toyota Prius

The first Toyota Prius to be built outside of Japan has been built in China.

Toyota vice-president Yoshimi Inaba said hybrid cars like the Prius could help China deal with its environmental and energy shortage problems.

"In addition to China's new automobile policy that encourages the use of hybrid vehicles, the introduction of emission regulations on par with those in Europe and the United States is also moving forward." (BBC)

The price of the Chinese-built Prius is a stiff 288,000 to 302,000 Chinese yuan ($US35,700 to $37,400 compared with from just $21,725 in the US). Sales target is 3,000 units in 2006 and internet orders start on Friday 16 December. (Just_Auto)