Japan's largest automaker, Toyota Motor on Saturday revealed its plans to launch an electric car in the United States by 2012 and boost its gas-electric hybrid offerings to as many as ten models in the early years of the next decade.

The company will show the prototype of its electric car, the FT-EV, a concept car that previews a new battery-electric "urban commuter" vehicle at the Detroit auto show which opens Sunday with press previews.

In addition, Toyota is also set to unveil its 2010 Prius hybrid and a Lexus hybrid called the HS250h at the same show. The show opens to the public Jan. 17-25.

The two-seater hatchback shares its platform with Toyota's tiny iQ, a gasoline-powered four-seater which was recently launched in Japan.

Sources revealed that FT-EV has a cruising range of 80km and a targeted top speed of 112km/h. The sedan takes between 2.5 and 7.5 hours to recharge the FT-EV, depending on the voltage of the power supply.

FT-EV is expected to wear an affordable price tag of about US$20,000.

A market analyst reacting to announcement said, the latest move was taken by Toyota, in aims to hold a lead in superior vehicles over General Motors Corp. and smaller start-ups.