Toyota's Insight rival coming to Oz?

Toyota is set to expand its local hybrid-drive lineup by one -- but the ultimate decision rests with Australian consumers.

Australia's largest-selling car company is bringing the Prius C here for the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in July, the goal being to gauge interest in the product as a smaller, cheaper alternative to the Camry Hybrid and Prius.

Toyota Australia's senior executive director for sales and marketing, David Buttner, told the Carsales Network early this year that Toyota would introduce a smaller hybrid in 2012. At the time we presumed it would be the European market Auris (Corolla hatch) hybrid, but that was before the launch of the 'Prius family' in Detroit the same week.

It now seems clear that Toyota Australia had the Prius C in mind all along, although the company's latest press release hints that the new model might not reach Australia if local consumers don't give it the thumbs up at AIMS.

"This car has the core Prius values based on Toyota's proven Hybrid Synergy Drive technology -- strong performance, great fuel economy and ultra-low emissions," Buttner was quoted as saying in the press release today.

"We are bringing it to the Australian motor show to test its appeal among buyers who we expect will come from a different group to those attracted to the current Prius.

"They are compact-car buyers, including young singles and couples, who want a mainstream city car that provides outstanding fuel economy while being fun to drive."

In the event that the production car, (set for launch in the US during the first half of 2012), generates enough interest at AIMS, Toyota will want it here at the earliest opportunity to combat Honda's Insight. Last month, the cheaper Honda sold 90 units -- versus 51 for the Prius, according to industry statistician VFACTS.

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