ˆ Toyota to build hybrid batteries in North America

tags : batteries , hybrid batteries , hybridbatteries , prius , prius batteries , prius battery , priusbatteries , priusbattery , toyota , toyota plant , toyota plants , toyota prius , toyota prius hybrid , toyota prius touring , toyotaplant , toyotaplants , toyotaprius , toyotapriushybrid , toyotapriustouring

Even with the $5,000 difference between the Prius and non-hybrid Toyotas, there was a time when Toyota lost money on the car. Even when the car entered the black, and even though they halved the cost of the hybrid system from one generation to the next, Toyota still didn't make the margins on it that they did with their go-to sedans. Yet with plans to start making batteries for the Hybrid Synergy Drive in the U.S., Toyota says it should be able to halve costs again, and bring the next-gen Prius profit to near parity with the Corolla. Toyota doesn't know where or when it will start building batteries in the States. The company says "it's difficult to make the main parts of batteries outside of Japan," but didn't explain why that was the case. From 2010, the Prius will be manufactured in Toyota's Mississippi plant, however, that doesn't mean the battery plant will be nearby. Toyota moved up the date to offer the plug-in Priuses to government and fleet operators to the end of 2009. Right now, Toyota says the Prius gets 13 miles on battery power alone. If the plug-in Prius does arrive in a year or so, and with a substantially higher range -- and that is a ginormous "if" -- then it has a chance of upstaging the Chevy Volt, which appears to be what Toyota is aiming for.

posted : 9/22/2008 @10:59:46 PM

ˆ Toyota planning second hybrid model, along with rebadged Lexus variant

tags : fuel efficiency , fuel efficient , fuel efficient car , fuel efficient cars , fuelefficiency , fuelefficient , fuelefficientcar , fuelefficientcars , lexus hybrid , lexus manufacturing , lexushybrid , lexusmanufacturing , toyota , toyota highlander , toyota prius , toyota prius hybrid , toyota prius touring , toyotahighlander , toyotahighlanderhybrid , toyotaprius , toyotapriushybrid , toyotapriustouring

To feed the insatiable demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, and follow the striking success of the Toyota Prius, the Japanese automaker will introduce a second hybrid-only vehicle in 2009. The all-new model will have a 2- to 2.5-liter engine, suggesting it will be larger than their current popular four-door hybrid (the Prius uses a 1.5-liter gasoline powerplant). The new model will be sold side-by-side with the Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid. Toyota will also sell a rebadged version under the upscale Lexus brand, where it will join the LS Hybrid, GS Hybrid, and RX Hybrid. Toyota's master plan is to sell 1 million hybrid vehicles annually throughout the world, and considering the market, there's little doubt that the automaker can pull it off. Toyota's next hybrid debut is scheduled for Detroit in January, and we'll be there to cover it.

posted : 8/7/2008 @5:27:59 PM

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