This will follow the launch of a plug-in version as a model in its own right next year. A number of prototypes are currently in use in Europe for evaluation, including in Ireland.
The plug-in version uses lithium-ion batteries and is claimed to be 60 percent more fuel efficient than the current Prius. It has a longer range of use in EV mode.
A hybrid version of the iQ minicar is also going on sale in 2012.
Up to last October, Toyota had sold 2m units of the Prius since the model was launched in 1997. The company plans to sell 1m hybrid vehicles a year by 2015.
Meanwhile, Toyota has regained its place as the most valuable automotive brand, despite its recall woes of last year. The brand is valued at $24.2 billion in the BrandZ Top 100 annual ranking of the world's most valuable brands, overtaking BMW, which was No. 1 last year in the automotive category.
