xcel
06-26-2006, 08:10 PM
Hybrid isn't an alternative, it will be the heart of most of everything we drive. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000101&sid=awyyirna3HVU)
Bloomberg - Japan - June 22, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/TCH.jpg
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota Motor Corp., the world's largest seller of hybrid autos, will maintain an ''aggressive'' strategy of putting the gasoline-electric technology in more U.S. vehicles, its new North American president said.
''Hybrid isn't an alternative. It will be the heart of most of everything we drive,'' Jim Press said today by phone from Toyota City, Japan, where he's being confirmed as North American chief at Toyota's annual shareholders meeting. ''There will be diesel hybrids, advanced gasoline hybrids, fuel-cell hybrids, ethanol hybrids.''
Press didn't identify specific Toyota, Lexus or Scion models that will get a hybrid powertrain. Katsuaki Watanabe, Toyota's president, said on June 13 the company would offer at least 14 hybrids by early next decade.
Toyota, which trails only General Motors Corp. in global sales, currently holds 72 percent of the U.S. hybrid market and sells five hybrid models in the region. Total hybrid sales in the U.S. rose 28 percent in the first five months of 2006 as gasoline prices hovered near a record.
Gasoline-electric hybrids reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions with a dual power system. Beyond that technology, Toyota is researching diesel and fuel-cell vehicles, as well as hybrids that can be plugged in to an electric outlet for recharging, providing even more fuel economy, Press said.
The company doesn't have plans now to sell any models with those systems in the U.S., said Press, 59.
''Those are issues that are in research, so it's too early to speculate about when they'll be ready,'' Press said. ''Advanced development of technologies requires a lot of resources. We've committed a lot, especially to hybrids.''
U.S. Hybrid Sales
Hybrid sales accounted for about 6.7 percent of Toyota's sales in the U.S., the world's largest market for such vehicles. Press has said previously he envisions hybrids will exceed 10 percent by 2010.
Toyota's U.S. hybrids are led by the Prius. The company also sells gasoline-electric versions of its Camry, Highlander and Lexus RX sport-utility vehicles, and Lexus GS luxury sedan. In 2007, the company's high-end Lexus LS sedan is to become the world's first hybrid with a V-8 engine.
Honda Motor Co., Toyota's primary competitor in hybrids, shifted its strategy for fuel-efficient autos in May. Instead of offering multiple hybrids, Honda by 2009 plans to sell a small, low-cost, high-mileage hybrid as well as low-pollution diesel vehicles that are about 30 percent more fuel efficient than gasoline-powered autos.
Bloomberg - Japan - June 22, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/TCH.jpg
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota Motor Corp., the world's largest seller of hybrid autos, will maintain an ''aggressive'' strategy of putting the gasoline-electric technology in more U.S. vehicles, its new North American president said.
''Hybrid isn't an alternative. It will be the heart of most of everything we drive,'' Jim Press said today by phone from Toyota City, Japan, where he's being confirmed as North American chief at Toyota's annual shareholders meeting. ''There will be diesel hybrids, advanced gasoline hybrids, fuel-cell hybrids, ethanol hybrids.''
Press didn't identify specific Toyota, Lexus or Scion models that will get a hybrid powertrain. Katsuaki Watanabe, Toyota's president, said on June 13 the company would offer at least 14 hybrids by early next decade.
Toyota, which trails only General Motors Corp. in global sales, currently holds 72 percent of the U.S. hybrid market and sells five hybrid models in the region. Total hybrid sales in the U.S. rose 28 percent in the first five months of 2006 as gasoline prices hovered near a record.
Gasoline-electric hybrids reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions with a dual power system. Beyond that technology, Toyota is researching diesel and fuel-cell vehicles, as well as hybrids that can be plugged in to an electric outlet for recharging, providing even more fuel economy, Press said.
The company doesn't have plans now to sell any models with those systems in the U.S., said Press, 59.
''Those are issues that are in research, so it's too early to speculate about when they'll be ready,'' Press said. ''Advanced development of technologies requires a lot of resources. We've committed a lot, especially to hybrids.''
U.S. Hybrid Sales
Hybrid sales accounted for about 6.7 percent of Toyota's sales in the U.S., the world's largest market for such vehicles. Press has said previously he envisions hybrids will exceed 10 percent by 2010.
Toyota's U.S. hybrids are led by the Prius. The company also sells gasoline-electric versions of its Camry, Highlander and Lexus RX sport-utility vehicles, and Lexus GS luxury sedan. In 2007, the company's high-end Lexus LS sedan is to become the world's first hybrid with a V-8 engine.
Honda Motor Co., Toyota's primary competitor in hybrids, shifted its strategy for fuel-efficient autos in May. Instead of offering multiple hybrids, Honda by 2009 plans to sell a small, low-cost, high-mileage hybrid as well as low-pollution diesel vehicles that are about 30 percent more fuel efficient than gasoline-powered autos.