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Tokyo (AFP) Aug 6, 2010 Toyota Motor said Friday that its hybrid vehicle sales in Japan had topped the one million mark and worldwide it had sold 2.68 million of the vehicles by the end of July. Toyota, the front-runner in hybrid cars that use two power sources -- a gasoline engine and another source such as an electric motor -- launched the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid car, in 1997. The world's biggest automaker later expanded use of its hybrid system to mini-vans, SUVs and rear-wheel-drive sedans. Currently, nine Toyota-produced hybrid passenger vehicle models and three hybrid commercial vehicle models are sold in Japan and a total of eight passenger hybrid models overseas. Sales of hybrids have been brisk in recent years because of high gasoline prices and increasing public awareness of global warming. Last year, Toyota recalled 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles to repair a flaw in the braking system, as part of around 10 million recalls worldwide that have tarnished its previously stellar reputation for quality. However the Prius has retained the top spot in sales in Japan for the past year, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.
earlier related report Toyota, the front-runner in hybrid cars that use two power sources -- a petrol engine and another source such as an electric motor -- launched the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid car, in 1997. It will make the latest model of the Prius in Thailand, the second hybrid car following the hybrid version of the Camry sedan, the Nikkei daily and Jiji Press said without citing sources. Local subsidiary Toyota Motor Thailand Co. will oversee the Prius production, with the technology-sensitive hybrid system including batteries and engines to be supplied from Japan, the reports said. The world's biggest automaker wants eventually to export the hybrid cars from Thailand to quickly expanding Asian markets, the reports said. Sales of hybrids have been brisk in recent years because of high petrol prices and increasing public awareness of global warming. Last year, Toyota recalled 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles to repair a flaw in the braking system, as part of around 10 million recalls worldwide that have tarnished its previously stellar reputation for quality. However, the Prius has retained the popularity, being the most-selling cars in Japan for the past year, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.
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Head of Hong Kong's Octopus resigns after personal data saleHong Kong (AFP) Aug 5, 2010 The head of Hong Kong's pioneering e-payment operator Octopus Holdings has resigned, the company said Thursday, after it admitted selling the personal data of two million customers to businesses. The ubiquitous Octopus card has brought cashless payments to many facets of Hong Kong life since its launch in 1997, and provided the model for smart cards used on public transport in cities around ... read more |
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