Toyota to Expand Range of Hybrids for US
Japanese automaker Toyota plans to expand its
hybrid offerings in the United States as it struggles to meet demand for its
popular Prius car...
C’mon Daimler-Chrysler! How about a diesel-hybrid for this?
Japanese automaker Toyota plans to expand its hybrid offerings in the United States as it struggles to meet demand for its popular Prius car, its top US executive said Tuesday. Toyota Motor North America President Jim Press said the automaker was planning to start selling a sixth model in the United States from early next year.
“Early next year, we’ll offer a sixth one, the world’s first V-8 hybrid in our flagship Lexus LS sedan,” Press said during a speech at the National Press Club. “And more will follow.”
Press said hybrid technology can be offered in multiple ways to boost fuel efficiency, citing gasoline (petrol) engines, clean diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells.
“Toyota is (also) strongly considering introducing a flex-fuel vehicle program in the United States in the near term,” Press said.
“We’re already developing vehicles that can operate in ethanol-rich Brazil and we’re optimistic that we can offer similar vehicles to American consumers,” he said.
He said Toyota was also researching the potential of a plug-in hybrid vehicle that could be driven further without using its gas engine.
My favorite quote — that almost slides under the radar — is that “Toyota has sold more hybrid vehicles in the US so far this year than Cadillac, Buick, or Mercedes Benz has sold cars.”
Do you think GM or Daimler-Chrysler has noticed?
Posted: Wed - July 19, 2006 at 07:12 AM