Date posted: 05-23-2008

TOKYO — Toyota Motor Company joins a growing parade of Japanese automakers ramping up production of new batteries to meet growing demand for hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius.

Toyota is teaming with Matsushita Electric to invest nearly $700 million in Japan to expand production of nickel metal hydride batteries and to begin production of more advanced lithium-ion batteries, according to Japan's Nikkei business daily.

Toyota and Matsushita, the parent of Panasonic, expect to construct two new plants — one in northern Japan and one in Shizuoka, southwest of Tokyo — while expanding an existing nickel metal hydride battery plant.

The partners plan to hike annual battery production to 1 million units a year by 2011, for the next-generation Prius and other future hybrids from Toyota and Lexus. The automaker has said it plans to boost annual production of hybrid vehicles to more than 1 million units after 2010.

Nissan this week announced plans to team with electronics giant NEC to produce lithium-ion batteries at a new plant in Japan in 2009, as it prepares to put several new hybrid and electric vehicles on the market in 2010.

What this means to you: New batteries continue to hold the key to the long-term success of hybrids and EVs. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
 

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