Yoshiro Hayashi, president of Panasonic EV said, ”intends to implement adequate preparations” for the production of nickel-metal hydride batteries for use in the Prius and other hybrid vehicles.
”Although hybrid vehicle sales have been falling since late last year alongside sales falls (in non-hybrid vehicles), they will bounce back certainly down the track because it is impossible to ignore environmental problems,” Hayashi said.
Hayashi said that Toyota anticipates hybrid vehicles to continue to have steady demand, although sales of many non-hybrid models have been effected by the global economic crisis.
Hayashi also said that Panasonic EV has no intentions to reduce its annual plan to produce batteries for 200,000 hybrid vehicles, with output in the initial year planned for 100,000 hybrid vehicles.
A lithium ion battery provides the highest electricity-storage capability among a range of existing batteries made of various substances.
Toyota intends to release the third-generation Prius hatchback from mid-May 2009, envisions releasing a plug-in hybrid car in late 2009.
The existing plant of Panasonic EV in Kosai has been supplying nickel-metal hydride batteries for use in Toyota’s gas-electric hybrid models.
