To relieve a shortage that has limited the production of hybrid vehicles, Toyota Motor Corp. is reported to be planning to add Sanyo Electric Co. as its second battery supplier. According to Nikkeibusiness daily, Toyota will begin buying batteries from Sanyo in 2011 for its upcoming hybrid multivan and that it will start with 10,000 packs a year. Toyota is known to be evaluating lithium ion batteries made by Sanyo but spokesman Paul Nolasco said that nothing has been decided. Toyota is currently teamed up with consumer-electronics giant Panasonic Corp. to make nickel-metal hydride and lithium ion batteries through a joint venture called Panasonic EV Energy Co. However, Toyota is searching for alternative sources because it anticipates a boom in demand.

[via autonews]

Tags: car news, sanyo batteries toyota, Toyota, toyota hybrid minivan, toyota news, toyota sanyo, toyota sanyo batteries

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