Toyota Rumored to Produce Hybrids in US

According to the San Mateo Times, Toyota is considering shifting some of its hybrid car production to the United States.

Company representatives said that the NUMMI facility in California may be a destination for new hybrid vehicle production. While current Prius production will be expanded in 2005 to include an additional plant in Japan, there are no confirmed plans for Toyota to produce a hybrid vehicle in the United States.

If Toyota does move production states side, it would not be in 2005. Currently, the only hybrid made in the US is the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV.

The NUMMI plant would be an interesting location. A joint facility that produces both Toyota and GM vehicles, the NUMMI plants makes the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Tacoma, Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Voltz (export only).