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Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid – details

The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid will show at Frankfurt The principle difference between the standard Prius and this new plug-in version is – you’ll never guess – that it adds the ability to charge the Prius’ batteries through a domestic outlet. The Prius can be fully recharged in around 1.5 hours, and the new lithium-ion battery pack – which replaces the old nickel-metal hydride pack in the regular Prius – is more compact and of higher output. Toyota claim that the plug-in Prius can cover round 12.5 miles on a full charge in pure ‘Electric Mode’, which is around double that of the normal Prius.

Bertone looking for buyers as bankruptcy nears

Italian design house Bertone has confirmed it entered bankruptcy proceedings in Italy, The Telegraph reports, amid recent reports that it laid off a significant percentage of its workforce. A spokesperson for the struggling company told The Telegraph that the company is searching for a buyer. "The problem is many debts and very high costs.

Ford truck-design boss leaves for job outside the industry

Pat Schiavone, Ford Motor Co.'s truck design chief, is leaving the company for a job outside the industry. Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans on Monday confirmed Schiavone's resignation, effective Jan. 4.