The Japanese automaker is currently working on sourcing hybrid drivetrain components in North America in hopes of having a American-based production to help offset foreign exchange losses from importing the Prius models from Japan. Toyota forecasts Prius sales to hit 200,000 units a year in North America by 2015, but that volume is already on track to be achieved this year.
The fourth-generation Prius is expected to make its production debut by 2015 at which time Toyota hopes to be up and running in the States with Prius production. The next-generation Prius is expected to still utilize nickel-metal hydride batteries.
In the first quarter of 2012, Toyota sold 60,859 Prius models from its entire family (V, C, plug-in) which represented a 42 percent increase over last year’s 42,779.
