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TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp has developed a way to make hybrid and electric vehicles without the use of expensive rare earth metals, in which China has a near-monopoly, Japan's Kyodo News reported.

Toyota is charging ahead with three new plug-in EVs for 2012. Other automakers are being more cautious, but remember: Toyota got the Prius to sell when no one was excited about hybrids

Toyota is working on a social networking service--with Microsoft's help--so that drivers can interact with their cars. Imagine if KITT had a Twitter account. Toyota's working on a new feature called "Toyota Friend," part of a private social network that connects you--with Microsoft 's help--to your car.

Prius made hybrids acceptable. Now Toyota is going to try to use those good feelings to get people to plug in.

Toyota announced this week that the Prius, the first (and perhaps most beloved) mass-produced hybrid vehicle, passed 3 million sales worldwide in February. This isn't just a boon for Toyota; it's a big deal for the entire car industry.