TOKYO (AP) - Car maker Toyota has announced it will begin making the Camry hybrid at plants in Australia and Thailand.

In a statement Tuesday, the Japanese car maker announced the move is part of its plan to produce "green cars" around the world.

The Australian and Thai plants are only Toyota's second and third overseas production point for the Camry hybrid after its Georgetown, Ky., plant in the U.S.

The only other nation where Toyota manufactures its hybrids besides Japan is China.

With the popularity of hybrids and other ecological technology, other automakers are aggressively trying to catch up with Toyota's lead in hybrids.

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