Japan's Toyota Motor Corp will bring its hybrid Lexus model to China early next year, becoming the first car maker to sell the green technology in the country's luxury vehicle market. 　
　
The imported RX400h will cost an estimated 800,000 yuan (US$100,000) from the first quarter next year, according to Liu Honggang, director of the communication department of Toyota. The company was also considering bringing in three other hybrid models in 2007, when Lexus aims to double it total sales.

Toyota was the first car maker to sell gasoline-electric models in China. FAW Toyota Motor Sales Co Ltd, Toyota's venture with First Automotive Works Group, started selling the Chinese-made Prius hybrid model in January with a sales forecast of 3,000 units a year.

Hybrid models, which switch between battery and gasoline power, can save up to 30 percent on fuel costs. However, they cost 15 to 20 percent more on average than gasoline-only models, and sales have been slow.

FAW Toyota sold 300 Prius units - priced between 288,000 yuan to 302,000 yuan - from January to April. Monthly sales rose to 100 units in October. It is true that the sales of the Toyota Prius are slow, but Prius serves Toyota above all to establish and reinforce its image as a technologically advanced and environmentally oriented car maker.

The hybrid version of the Lexus by itself can have an impact in making the brand more attractive to consumers as its customers - affluent and successful in business and society - can certainly be seen as opinion leaders.

Car makers hold an optimistic outlook for fuel-efficient vehicles in China because the government has focused on environmental protection and energy preservation.

General Motors may follow Toyota to make hybrid models in China in 2008 while Honda Motor Co is reportedly planning to sell a Chinese-made model of its Civic hybrid in the country next year.

Source:未知