A report in Japan's Nikkei newspaper says Toyota is developing a Yaris-based hybrid as a low-cost alternative to the Honda Insight. "We are developing a low-priced hybrid vehicle like Honda's Insight," Akihiko Otsuka, chief engineer of the latest Prius told the newspaper. "We are going to compete by expanding our hybrid-vehicle lineup to smaller hybrids, in the class of the Vitz [sold in Japan] and Yaris."
No timetable was given for the for the car's launch, but the paper did mention that Otsuka inferred a 2011 timeframe.
sfcarguy says:
10:44 AM, 03/25/09
Otsuka implied a 2011 timeframe, not inferred. That's the incorrect use of the word. Correct use: The paper inferred a 2011 timeframe based of what Otsuka implied.
brn says:
11:26 AM, 03/25/09
sfcarguy, if I read the definition of inferred correctly; "Conveyed indirectly without words or speech"
Inferred is inappropriate in either case.
firstwagon says:
12:55 PM, 03/25/09
You guys must be lots of fun at parties ;)
redliner says:
01:12 PM, 03/25/09
Let the low cost hybrid wars begin...
hondacura4 says:
02:05 PM, 03/25/09
Ive heard rumors of a Fit hybrid and this before the current Insight or Fit was on the market. Honda may have a head start here.