Toyota Prius III to be launched in India (IN)

Toyota has confirmed that it will launch the new Prius III sedan in India, during Spring 2010 after it is unveiled at the Delhi Auto Expo in January. Toyota is not expecting the Prius III to be sold in large volumes, but instead wants to use its world-renowned hybrid as a showcase for its hybrid technology.

The price for the Toyota Prius is not yet decided, however, internal sources suggest the hybrid could end up costing more than £25k/$40k. The hybrid, which starts at just over $20,000 in Japan, will cost nearly double that in India because of the high 105% import duty the hybrid, which is a completely built up (CBU) unit, will attract.

Toyota is hoping that the Indian Government will give special concessions to eco-friendly vehicles so it can price the Prius cheaply.