Japan's Toyota Motor Corporation is planning to sell heavily electrified "plug-in hybrid" cars in China in 2018, Hiroji Onishi, Toyota's head of operations for China, announced on Sunday at a media event during the Beijing auto show.

Toyota is planning to unveil plug-in hybrid versions of Toyota Corolla and Levin in China by 2018, Onishi said.

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"Our decision to launch plug-in hybrid versions of the Corolla and the Levin reflects the depth of our resolve and commitment to the Chinese market," he said.

The plan aims to make use of purchase incentives offered to Chinese consumers who are buying such fuel-efficient near-all-electric cars as well as with all-electric battery cars in the country.

Onishi, however, did not divulge whether the Japanese carmaker would produce the cars at its two local manufacturing plants for hybrid powertrain components, namely, Toyota Motor (Changshu) Auto Parts and Sinogy Toyota Automotive Energy System.

To qualify for China's incentives for plug-in hybrids, Toyota needs to meet some conditions first.

In its recent announcement, Toyota said it would localize the development of plug-in hybrid vehicles ahead the launching of Levin's and Corolla's plug-in versions in two years.

An insider, who asked for anonymity, said that plug-in hybrids for China allow vehicles to run entirely on electricity as far as over 50 km (30 miles) when charged fully.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles combine a diesel and gasoline engine with a rechargeable battery and electric motor. These vehicles have a longer range than conventional hybrids that are not equipped with batteries.

TagsToyota Motor Corp, china, automobile industry, plug in, hybrid versions, Electric Car