TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp said on Tuesday it had received about 14,000 orders for the new SAI hybrid sedan to go on sale in Japan on December 7, or roughly five times its monthly sales target of 3,000 units.

The world's biggest automaker said in a statement the high-end car's fuel economy, comparable to a compact car, and tax incentives worth up to 280,000 yen ($3,150) were behind the strong interest.

Toyota unveiled the SAI, the brand's second dedicated hybrid car, on October 20. The car, which is a repackaged version of the Lexus HS250h, has a starting price of 3.38 million yen ($38,020).

Gasoline-electric hybrid cars have enjoyed strong sales in Japan thanks to generous subsidies and exemption from certain taxes.

(Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim)

Japan Toyota Sale