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Eager to keep the top spot in the world’s hybrid car sales market, Toyota has announced that they will be offering 10 new hybrid models by 2011 and an all-electric commuter car in 2012. The first big development, though will be the plug-in Prius’ early release this year.

The Prius plug-in PHEV, promised for 2010, will be available as a 2010 model in most parts of the world (including the U.S.) for end-of-year sales in 2009. Initially, only 150 cars will be available in the U.S., mainly to lease fleet customers, but the plug-in Prius will be available for purchase from a dealership in 2010 nationally.

A CNG-powered Camry hybrid will be available sometime before 2011, though where it will be available is unannounced. This car made its debut in the 2008 LA Auto Show last November. Other hybrid models will include most of Toyota’s lineup of popular vehicles as hybrid alternatives.

The electric commuter, the FT-EV, has been a concept for some time at Toyota and is now coming to fruition. A working prototype concept will be on hand at the Detroit Auto Show. The car, as it is now, is a small, 4-seat urban commuter, but no specifications have been officially given. It’s based on the European version of the Toyota iQ (a gasoline car that gets 57mpg).

Source: TreeHugger