Toyota, which already accounts for more than half of all hybrid-vehicle sales in the U.S., was the top-selling carmaker in the country for the past two quarters as soaring gas prices pushed consumers to seek out more fuel-efficient models.Toyota Motor Corp. is investing $383 million in four factories across the U.S. to boost production of hybrid vehicles amidToyota’s engine plant in Huntsville, Ala.
The Japanese automaker, which already represents more than half of all hybrid vehicle sales in the U.S., was the top-selling carmaker in the country for the past two quarters as soaring gas prices pushed consumers to seek out more fuel-efficient models. Toyota showed off its first major pure-electric model, the bz4x crossover, at the New York International Auto Show last week.
“It’s always been our plan to manage the transition by having hybrids, plug-in hybrids and introduce BEVs when we believe the market is there,” Bob Carter, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Corp.’s North American business, said in an interview last week. “We will continue on the path of managing the transition with hybrids and plug-in hybrids.”