Proof that hybrid vehicle costs will come down?

There is a rather interesting article in AutoWeek regarding how Toyota Camry hybrid production was integrated into standard Camry production. While this integration did take immense brain power, it really didn't take much money, which shocked many in the auto-world according to the magazine.

Toyota now claims that hybrid cars are profitable; however, many auto analysts find this impossible to believe. Perhaps they are profitable, but have yet to cover the original development costs, so it depends on how you measure 'costs'.

Nonetheless, Toyota, a champion of efficient auto-manufacturing, is also making the production of hybrids more efficient, which will further reduce costs. Already Toyota believes it can make its next generation hybrid technology, due out in just a couple of years, more fuel efficient, more powerful, and half as expensive.

Such a move would make the Prius an incredible buy, while making the rest of Toyota's hybrids extremely cost-effective, if not cost-superior, to their conventional counterparts.