There is a small blip about the second "Hybrid Only" vehicle coming to the US shores. Toyota will announce the vehicle in next year's detroit auto show. Looks like this will be Toyota's answer to Honda's "Hybrid Only" release next year. "Toyota also plans to unveil its second hybrid-specific model after the Prius at the Detroit Motor Show next year to promote fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles further." Full article here: Toyota unveils plans for more fuel-efficient hybrids, revolutionary car battery - Forbes.com
Hmm, the same time as the previously rumored announcement of a souped-up revision of the Prius. But killing off the existing Prius one year from now looks to be premature because it's selling like crazy. It would make more sense for Toyota to keep it in the lineup and introduce a significantly different second hybrid. (The yen has been falling along with the dollar so Toyota should still be capable of acceptable profit on the Prius.) I would guess and hope for something luxury-sport, which sounds rather like that aforementioned souped-up Prius.
announcement on tonight's local news about the plugin versions as well. no release date though, but i am now assuming it to be less than one year away!!
i got the message that toyota wil build a larger hybrid above the prius thats just what we are nog looking for smaller and cheaper and better mpg
Perhaps the "new" platform is the hybrid minivan that has been for sale in Japan for some 10 years. It seems to me there would be a hugh market for it here.
