Toyota to build hybrid version of next generation Yaris

The car will be built in France, which follows the recent announcement that the hybrid version of their Auris family car will be built at their British factory.

The Yaris hybrid will use a low cost version of Toyota's familiar Hybrid Synergy Drive, already seen in a whole host of cars like the Prius and several Lexus models. Mated to a smaller four-cylinder engine, the Yaris hybrid is expected to provide class leading fuel efficiency.

Due to go on sale in Japan in 2011, the Yaris hybrid is expected to face off against Honda's Fit, which Honda have recently announced is also getting a hybrid version in the near future.