SYDNEY—The announcement a hybrid car will be built in Australia is good news for the nation's motoring public and for Victorian workers, Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.
Japanese motoring giant Toyota has announced plans to expand its facilities in Altona, in western Melbourne, to allow construction of a petrol-electric Camry from 2010.
"I'm an Altona local, I live in Altona not that far away from the Toyota car plant, so this is very good news," Ms Gillard told reporters in Sydney today.
"It's very good news for Australia, it's very good news for Australians who want to drive more environmentally friendly vehicles, and so many Australians do."
Toyota plans to build 10,000 of the fuel-efficient cars in Australia each year, and has been offered a $35 million subsidy from the Rudd government's green car fund.
"It is absolutely great news for Melbourne's west as well, where we will see new opportunities as Altona gears for the production of Hybrid cars," Ms Gillard said.
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