Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corp plans to begin assembling plug-in hybrids in China by 2012, when it kicks off domestic production of the vehicles, Reuters reported, citing the Nikkei business daily.

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Toyota's joint venture with the leading Chinese automaker China FAW Group Corp will make the hybrids which can be recharged by connecting them to household electricity, the Nikkei said.

Output will likely start at a few thousand units a year and the plug-in hybrids will be launched worldwide by early 2012, the daily said.

Ahead of starting Chinese production and sales, Toyota will test the vehicles in Tianjin, it said.

The automaker plans to assemble plug-ins at its Tsutsumi Plant in Aichi Prefecture and aims to nurture the eco-car industry in China, which is the world's biggest auto market, the daily said.