Toyota Preparing to Launch Inexpensive Compact Hybrid
With gas prices almost as unpredictable as the weather, it's nice to know that Toyota is working hard to create vehicles that are not only affordable and equipped with genuine Toyota parts, but also have high gas mileage.
That's why I was excited to learn recently about a new compact hybrid car that will go into production in Japan in 2011 and reach United States showrooms by 2012. At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on January 11, 2010 Toyota announced that the vehicle, currently called the FT-CH (CH stands for compact hybrid) was part of a larger strategy to increase the number of hybrids in its lineup.
Currently, Toyota is expecting to release over 150,000 vehicles during their first production run. While no pricing information has been released yet, the vehicle is expected to be released at a price point well below the Toyota Prius so it can compete with the Honda Insight, priced at $20,000 base, and other subcompact vehicles. This is done in an attempt to target less affluent drivers who can't afford the $22,500 base price of the Prius.
Industry insiders expect the vehicle to get in excess of 50 MPG making it the most fuel efficient of any of Toyota's current lineup of hybrids. This comes as exiting news to many budget conscious and environmentally conscious care buyers who will now be able to get both high gas mileage as well as a low price tag.
The styling of the vehicle was done at Toyota's European Design and Development (ED²) center in Nice, France. It's a full 22 inches shorter than the Prius, but less than one inch narrower. The vehicle is meant to be sleek, fun, colorful, stylish, and evoke the "8-bit generation." The Toyota FT-CH should be a huge hit amongst a younger generation of drivers looking for affordable hybrids.
Toyota's impressive lineup of hybrids already includes seven vehicles. Three of these are under the Toyota brand and four are sold under the upscale Lexus brand. Most popular of these vehicles is the Toyota Prius, which, as the first mass produced hybrid electric vehicle, had sold 1.2 million cars by early 2009.
It will be interesting to see how the new vehicle fits in with the Prius which boasts an impressive 50 MPG and starts with a price tag of $22,500. So far, no vehicle has come close to competing with the Prius in sales. However, with the lower price tag and a higher expected MPG rating, the Toyota FT-CH could be just the vehicle to overtake the Prius.
During the NAIAS, Toyota announced that the FT-CH was only the first of a number of upcoming hybrid, plug in hybrid, battery electric, and full cell vehicles that would be released with Toyota Parts in the coming decade. This is an exciting announcement from a company that is so committed to pioneering increasingly fuel efficient vehicles that are still fun to drive.
If you want to learn more about the new Toyota FT-CH, see the official press release at: http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/toyota-unveils-compact-dedicated-151199.aspx
Questions and Answers
International vehicle transports service providers offer facilities for shipping you vehicle across to the new country. These vehicle transport companies have the legal authority, the right infrastructure and a wide network to carry out their operations.
Donaldson Company, Inc. is one of the world's premier supplies of a wide variety of filtration systems and the replacement parts to go with each system. The company has a long-standing tradition of providing excellent customer service and first-rate products. Founded in 1915, Donaldson continues to develop new products to meet their customers filtration needs. They accomplish this through dedicated research and development.
Cars for sale by owner has been a growing niche in the automotive industry today. Different automobiles are being sold by various car owners, and are not limited to some common brands.
Through pre owned car sales, consumers enjoy more benefits and options than they would purchasing a new vehicle.
Car is an asset while selecting the best asset is always wise. And so for the folks who wants the very first its time to get the GMC.
The Toyota Tacoma has a loyal group of owners, one of which founded a club in Texas in 1998. As the years went by, the club became one for all Toyota lovers, and has since spread to nearly every state in the U.S. The club is named the Toyota Territory...
Drifting is a motor sport where the focus is on technique rather than being the first to cross the finish line. It refers to sliding a car through corners while maintaining control of the car. The point is to have the rear wheels slip at a greater angle than the...
Should you use cheaper generic automobile parts? This article will tell you what you need to know about the importance of using Toyota OEM parts. For those who might not know, OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Many people today believe in saving a buck wherever possible without considering the...
It seems that more and more women are driving sports utility vehicles (SUVs) today than ever before, and with good reason. It's a smart choice for women with children, as well as for women who are self employed or make deliveries on a regular basis. Another good reason to drive...
If you own a Toyota Tundra, or are considering purchasing one, then this article will give you the confidence of a safe ride in this fabulous full sized pickup truck. It may also interest you to know that the Tundra was chosen as "Motor Trend Magazine's" truck of the year...
Discuss this Article
