Toyota Motor is delaying indefinitely Prius production in the United States.


A new plant in Mississippi was due to begin making the next generation hybrid – which makes its global debut at the Detroit motor show next month – in 2010.


However, a US report on Monday night said Toyota would now finish constructing the 90% complete factory building but delay installing the equipment.


The plant’s production start had earlier been delayed from late 2009-early 2010 to mid-2010 after US vehicle sales slowed.


It was originally planned to build the Highlander (aka Kluger) but was switched to the Prius after US fuel prices rose in the middle of the year and SUV sales fell.