NEXT year's company car tax changes could spearhead increased demand for the hybid Toyota Prius, UK chiefs claimed in Frankfurt.

Toyota is committed to hybrid technology as well as fuel cell developments - it will launch a fuel cell vehicle in Japan in 2003 - and has launched a four-wheel drive hybrid version of the Previa in Japan.

Toyota GB chiefs say about 1,000 Prius cars have been sold in the UK since launch a year ago - about half the expected number.

However, a spokesman was optimistic for the Prius's future sales prospects: 'Prius technology is going into other vehicles and as time goes by the hybrid technology will increasingly become a part of the model range.

'We are not disappointed with UK sales. The Prius represented a move into uncharted territory and we need to convince customers. We believe sales will get a kick-start as a consequence of next year's company car tax changes.'