[Vo]:Toyota Still Likes NiMH

[Terry Blanton]

http://www.startribune.com/business/19199614.html

Toyota building $192 million plant in Japan to produce batteries for
gas-electric hybrid vehicles

By YURI KAGEYAMA , Associated Press

TOKYO - Toyota is building a $192 million plant in Japan to produce
batteries for gas-electric hybrid vehicles, as it seeks to keep its
lead in an intensifying race for green cars among the world's
automakers.

Toyota's joint venture with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., which
makes Panasonic brand products, is building the plant in Shizuoka
prefecture, in central Japan, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said
Friday. He declined to give more details.

The plant will produce nickel-metal hydride batteries, now in the
company's hit Prius hybrid.

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