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

ˆ Toyota loses patent appeal for technology in Prius

tags : highlander hybrid , highlanderhybrid , hybrid , hybrid synergy drive , hybridsynergydrive , lexus , lexus rx400h , lexusrx400h , paice llc , paicellc , prius , toyota , toyota highlander hybrid , toyota prius , toyotahighlanderhybrid , toyotaprius

Toyota lawyers arrived at the U.S. Supreme Court today and were denied an appeal to overturn a ruling originally upheld by a federal appeals court in Washington last year. The case involved a technology patent held by a company named Paice LLC, which contended that Toyota used the same microprocessor developed by the McLean, Virginia-based company on its hybrid vehicles that inputs torque information for both the gasoline-powered engine and the electric motor. The $4.3 million dollar award against Toyota will stand, and Toyota is required to pay royalties to the firm to the tune of $25 for every Prius, Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX400h sold. Ouch. Sometimes the price of success is steep.

posted : 5/12/2008 @11:00:10 PM

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