Bangalore: 

Eco-friendly: Toyota's sedan Prius. representation pic

Toyota Motor Corp plans to introduce its hybrid sedan Prius in India as an answer to soaring fuel prices and growing concerns over emissions, a top official at its Indian joint venture said.

"We are preparing to bring Prius into the Indian market, though we have not set any timeline yet," Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd Vice-Chairman Vikram Kirloskar said.

"In the run-up, we have to develop skills to service it and make spare parts available across the country," he added. The 2008 version of Prius has been adjudged the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the US. It has also been rated as the third least carbon dioxide emitting vehicle in Britain.

"We are confident of its acceptability in the Indian market as it runs both on electricity and fuel," added Kirloskar. Positioned between Toyota's Corolla and Camry in the luxury segment, Prius uses an all-electric compressor for cooling. It is a super ultra low emission

vehicle. Toyota Kirloskar is setting up a second plant with an upfront investment of Rs1, 400 crore ($329 million) at Bidadi to manufacture a range of models.

With an installed capacity of 1,00,000 units per annum, the new modular multi-platform plant is set to commence production in 2010.