Toyota launches Acqua Hybrid

Toyota rolled out the Acqua Hybrid in late December, with order for 60,000 units ahead of its launch date. The total of advance orders is five times the monthly sales target of 12,000 units. The Japanese automaker said it will take around four months to service all the orders. The Acqua has a fuel economy of 35.4 kilometers per liter, and will be marketed abroad as the “Prius c.” Toyota plans to bring the hybrid to 50 countries, including the U.S. The company said it will also introduce a small hybrid in Europe which will be based on the Yaris compact, but will use the same hybrid system in the Acqua. (December 27, 2011)