Since 2003, the lithium-ion battery has been part of an "intelligent package" for Toyota Motor Corp.'s Vitz subcompact — although the feature still isn't widespread among Japanese consumers. About 700 of the Vitz with the feature were sold this year.

Toyota Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto told The Associated Press recently the company hasn't marketed the feature aggressively because battery supplies are limited and the company can't respond to massive demand.

But the feature is available at dealers, and consumers can get them if they ask for it.

"We don't tell everybody about it," Takimoto said. "But we already have our own lithium-ion battery."

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/06/...ota-Battery.php